Washington/West Asia: In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric and military posture, former President Donald Trump has declared that the United States now holds “complete and total control of the skies over Iran” — and issued a chilling warning to Tehran, claiming that American intelligence knows the exact location of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
In a string of explosive posts on Truth Social, Trump boasted of America’s unmatched aerial superiority, ridiculing Iran’s defenses as inferior to “American-made stuff,” and referring to Khamenei as “an easy target” who remains alive only because the U.S. is choosing restraint — “for now.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2025
“We don’t want missiles fired at civilians or our soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,” Trump warned, further urging Tehran to stand down or face consequences. He even called for Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” fueling speculation about U.S. involvement in Israel’s aggressive strikes on Iran’s leadership and nuclear sites.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2025
Amid these high-voltage threats, Reuters reports that the U.S. is significantly ramping up its military footprint in the region. Deployments now include advanced F-16s, F-22s, and stealth F-35 fighter jets, along with aerial tankers and aircraft carriers repositioned to bolster U.S. readiness.
While Pentagon officials described these deployments as “defensive,” the scale suggests preparation for any fallout from Israel’s massive air campaign — its largest ever — against Iranian targets, launched after accusing Iran of nearing nuclear weapons capability.
Iran, a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, denies seeking atomic arms and insists its program is for peaceful purposes.
With nearly 40,000 American troops already stationed across strategic points in West Asia and more Navy warships reportedly headed toward the Mediterranean, the region teeters on the edge as Trump’s fiery rhetoric and U.S. military muscle raise fears of a broader conflict.
