(2nd LD) Trump says there'll be no deal with Iran except 'unconditional surrender'

▲ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at an event to honor the 2025 Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House in Washington on March 5, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Trump-Iran conflict

(2nd LD) Trump says there'll be no deal with Iran except 'unconditional surrender'

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 6-7, 12-14)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that there will be no deal with Iran except "unconditional surrender," as the United States and Israel continue their military campaign against the Islamic Republic that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post as the U.S. military operation, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," entered its seventh day, seeking to dismantle Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and its Navy, and sever its pathway to nuclear weapons.

"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before," he added.

He went on to say, "IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).'"

In a social media post, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that "some countries" have begun mediation efforts.

"Let's be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation's dignity & sovereignty," he wrote on X. "Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict."

In an interview with CNN on Friday, Trump expressed his openness to Iran having a religious leader.

"Well I may be yeah, I mean, it depends on who the person is. I don't mind religious leaders. I deal with a lot of religious leaders and they are fantastic," he was quoted as saying.

He also pointed out that he is looking for new Iranian leadership that will treat the U.S. and Israel well even if that leadership includes a religious leader and it is not a democratic state.

In recent interviews with Axios and Reuters, Trump also said that he should have a role in selecting Iran's next leader, calling Mojtaba Khamenei -- a son of the deceased former supreme leader -- "unacceptable."

Following a meeting with U.S. defense companies on Friday, Trump said that the companies agreed to quadruple production of "exquisite class" weaponry.

"We just concluded a very good meeting with the largest U.S. Defense Manufacturing Companies where we discussed Production and Production Schedules," he wrote on Truth Social.

"They have agreed to quadruple Production of the 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry in that we want to reach, as rapidly as possible, the highest levels of quantity. Expansion began three months prior to the meeting, and Plants and Production of many of these Weapons are already under way."

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