On June 18, 2025, US President Donald Trump made a blunt statement ruling out a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Speaking at a White House press conference, he stressed that Washington was not seeking a temporary truce but a “complete and final victory,” which would mean the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear program. “You know what victory is: no nuclear weapons,” Trump said, ratcheting up the pressure on Tehran amid ongoing military escalation in the region. His words, spoken in response to a question from a CNN journalist, were another signal of the US’s tough stance on Iran.

The conflict, which began on June 13 with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz and Karaj, has escalated into a full-scale confrontation. According to the Associated Press, Iran responded with missile attacks, firing more than 800 rockets and drones at Israel, causing casualties and destruction on both sides. Iranian officials estimate that the death toll from the Israeli strikes has exceeded 450 people, including civilians. Israel, for its part, has reported 40 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Trump’s statement about seeking “victory” reflects U.S. support for Israeli efforts to undermine Iran’s nuclear capabilities, despite Washington’s lack of direct evidence that Tehran has developed nuclear weapons, as IAEA Director Rafael Grossi previously noted.

Trump had previously issued an ultimatum to Iran, demanding “unconditional surrender” and abandonment of its nuclear program, which was rejected by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, the United States has stepped up its military presence in the region, sending a third aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, to the eastern Mediterranean, Reuters reported. The move, according to The Wall Street Journal, comes amid discussions about possibly transferring bunker-bombs to Israel to strike hardened targets like Fordow, underscoring Washington’s readiness for a military scenario. However, there are differences of opinion within the Trump administration, with some advisers, according to Bloomberg, pushing for a diplomatic solution, fearing the consequences of a protracted war.

Iran, despite military and economic difficulties, continues to demonstrate determination. According to Al Jazeera, Tehran has restricted access to the internet across the country in an effort to suppress protests and control the information space. Domestic unrest caused by sanctions and rising prices is growing, but the government maintains tough rhetoric, promising more strikes on Israel. According to Tasnim, Iran has stepped up production of missiles, including solid-fueled medium-range models, making it more difficult for Israeli air defenses. At the same time, Tehran, through intermediaries such as Turkey and Oman, is signaling the possibility of negotiations, but demands an end to attacks and the lifting of sanctions.