Trump's rants about Iran raise fears of escalation

US President and America would not assassinate Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei "at least for now". World leaders are scrambling to de-escalate the turmoil in the Middle East.

- BY ASHLEY COWBURN and ANDY LINES

DONALD Trump has launched a series of incendiary rants that have heightened fears the Middle East crisis could get even worse.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.

“He is an easy target, but is safe there. We aren't going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.

“But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.”

He also claimed the US has “complete control” of Iran's skies and, without further explanation, he also wrote: “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”

The President, who abruptly left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, early on Monday evening, was reportedly going to host a meeting last night in the White House Situation Room to discuss the growing conflict between Iran and Israel.

Mr Trump was said to be weighing up whether to join in and help Israel destroy an underground nuclear enrichment facility in Iran.

RESTRAINT

US Vice-President JD Vance warned that President Trump may take further action to stop Iran developing a nuclear weapon.