The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is increasingly hardening his stance toward Iran. In his statements, he made it clear that he is not interested in entering negotiations with Iran to end the conflict, even leaving open the possibility that the war may end only if the Iranian army is completely destroyed and the country’s political and military leadership is eliminated.

Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft Air Force One on Saturday, Trump argued that the ongoing air campaign could render negotiations pointless if all potential Iranian leaders are killed and the military leadership is eliminated.

“Maybe there won’t be anyone left to say ‘we surrender’”

In a particularly harsh statement, the American president said characteristically:
“At some point, there may be no leader left alive to say ‘we surrender.’”

This statement further intensifies the already tense climate in the Middle East and reinforces scenarios of further escalation of the conflict between the United States and Tehran.

Watch Donald Trump’s statement from 3:29 onward:

Speaking about the military operations against Iran, Donald Trump said:
“We have neutralized their 44 naval warships. We have destroyed their air force—every aircraft. We have destroyed most of their missiles. Missiles are now hardly being launched at all. We have also struck very hard the production facilities where they manufacture their missiles. Their drone capability has been drastically reduced. Their army is almost nonexistent. We could strike the army itself very hard, but maybe we will, maybe we won’t. We haven’t made that decision yet.”