U.S. president says conflict could end only when Tehran loses its leadership and military
MARKET INSIDER – The U.S.-Iran conflict is entering a far more dangerous phase after Donald Trump suggested the war could end only when Iran no longer has a functioning military or leadership. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the idea of negotiations and raised the possibility that ongoing airstrikes could eliminate Iran’s remaining political and military command structure.
“At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say ‘We surrender,’” Trump told reporters, indicating that diplomacy may become irrelevant if the campaign succeeds in destroying Iran’s governing apparatus. The remarks mark one of the most explicit statements yet that Washington is pursuing a strategy aimed at dismantling the Iranian state’s leadership hierarchy.
The conflict—now entering its second week—has expanded across multiple fronts. Israel and Iran exchanged fresh missile and drone attacks, while Iran-linked forces targeted U.S. bases across the Gulf. Drone strikes were reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, and Iranian state media said its Revolutionary Guards had launched attacks against U.S. forces stationed in Bahrain.
Inside Iran, political tensions are rising as the country struggles with a leadership vacuum following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of U.S.-Israeli strikes. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to calm regional tensions by apologizing to neighboring countries affected by Iranian attacks, while insisting that Tehran would respond forcefully to any military operations launched from their territory.
Meanwhile, Israel has widened the battlefield. Israeli forces carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and warned the Lebanese government it would face severe consequences if it failed to restrain the Iran-aligned militia. Strikes in Beirut and other areas have already killed hundreds, according to Lebanese health authorities.
The broader regional conflict is also rippling through global markets. Energy facilities across the Gulf have been targeted, forcing production cuts in several countries including Kuwait and disrupting oil and gas exports from Iraq and Qatar. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively paralyzed, oil prices have surged to multi-year highs and supply chains across shipping and aviation are facing mounting pressure.
The war has already exacted a heavy human toll. Iranian officials say more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes, while attacks on Israel have killed several people and wounded many more. At least six U.S. service members have also died during the conflict.
For global policymakers and investors, Trump’s comments reinforce the possibility that the war could evolve into a prolonged campaign aimed at regime collapse rather than negotiated settlement. If that scenario unfolds, the consequences could extend far beyond the Middle East—reshaping energy markets, security alliances, and global economic stability for years to come.
