Washington, United States. President Donald Trump dismissed threats from Iran’s top national security official, Ali Larijani, and reiterated his demand for an “unconditional surrender” from Tehran. In a phone interview with CBS News late Saturday evening, Trump said he did not care about Larijani’s warnings and expressed confidence in the U.S. military campaign.
Trump responds to Larijani warning
Trump pushed back against remarks from Larijani, who posted on social media that Trump must “pay the price” for U.S.-Israeli strikes. Larijani has emerged as a high-profile leader following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.
“I have no idea what he’s talking about, who he is. I couldn’t care less,” Trump told CBS News, adding that Larijani and other Iranian leaders are “weak and increasingly diminished.”
Claims about strikes and military damage
Trump said he was fully confident in the military campaign and claimed the U.S. had decimated Iran’s military infrastructure in six days.
“The navy is gone, it’s at the bottom of the sea. Forty-two ships, 42, in six days,” Trump said. U.S. Central Command said at least 43 Iranian ships have been damaged or destroyed, with more than 3,000 targets struck since the war began. Trump added that Iranian missile and drone factories are “being blown up as we speak.”
Comments on allies and the United Kingdom
Trump also addressed the role of U.S. allies, criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Earlier on Saturday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.K. had readied two aircraft carriers for deployment, which he said was unnecessary and “a little bit late.”
The comments came amid friction over Starmer’s perceived delay in granting permission for the U.S. to use British bases for the strikes. “The loyal ones are already in,” Trump said when asked if he wanted more from allies. “They can do whatever they want.”
Iranian leadership and internal uncertainty
The exchange took place during what the report described as uncertainty within Iran’s leadership. While Larijani remains a key voice, an interim three-person council, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, is currently governing.
Pezeshkian recently backtracked on a video apology to Iran’s neighbors and later said on social media that Iran had targeted U.S. military installations and had not surrendered its regional ambitions. Trump said Pezeshkian had already “conceded and surrendered” to neighboring countries because of U.S. pressure.
What do you think these statements signal about the next steps in the conflict?
