President Donald Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, insisting instead on a "complete give-up" of Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Speaking aboard Air Force One following his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump dismissed diplomatic efforts and warned that "the gloves are off."
""I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire," Trump told reporters. "We're looking for a real end, not a ceasefire. Something that would be permanent, giving up entirely. A complete give-up, that's possible."
The remarks come as Israeli forces confirmed the killing of Ali Shadmani, Iran's chief of staff for wartime operations and its most senior military commander, in a strike on Tehran. Shadmani's death marks the second high-level military assassination by Israel in four days, as part of Operation Rising Lion, an expansive campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and Revolutionary Guard leadership.
Trump denied reports that he or his administration had reached out to Tehran for peace negotiations. "I have not reached out to Iran for 'Peace Talks' in any way, shape, or form. This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS!" he posted on Truth Social. "They should have taken the deal that was on the table - Would have saved a lot of lives!!!"
The conflict, now entering its fifth day, has killed more than 220 people in Iran, many of them civilians, and at least 24 in Israel. Iran has responded with multiple missile salvos, one of which struck an apartment building in Petah Tikva, killing four civilians. "It was the biggest boom ever," Israeli-American Lihi Griner said. "Even our safe room was shaking."
In Tehran, thousands have tried to flee as Israeli strikes intensified. Iranian state media headquarters was struck during a live broadcast Monday night. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin confirmed the strike, stating: "We attacked it just as we attack all components of the Iranian terrorist regime."
Trump suggested he may dispatch Vice President JD Vance or special envoy Steve Witkoff to Qatar or Oman for talks with Iranian intermediaries, though he added, "I'm not too much in the mood to negotiate."
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has previously stated that Iran had not resumed its nuclear weapons program, suspended since 2003. But Trump dismissed that assessment. "I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having them," he said.
Israel's campaign, which Netanyahu has framed as an existential fight, was launched after claims that Iran was on the verge of producing a nuclear warhead. The conflict follows the expiration of a 60-day deadline Trump had set for Tehran to accept a new nuclear deal.
Iran's counterstrikes have been met with robust Israeli air defenses, but the intensity of the bombardments has raised concerns of wider regional escalation. "We must not be complacent," Defrin said. "The Iranians still have intentions and the ability to strike."
Asked whether U.S. forces in the region were at risk, Trump issued a warning: "If they do anything to our people. We'll come down so hard." He declined to say whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or Joint Chiefs Chairman Lt. Gen. Dan Caine had presented U.S. military options.
"I don't believe in telephones," Trump told reporters when asked about monitoring the conflict. "Being on the scene is much better."
