On Friday, former President Donald Trump declared that he will only accept Iran's unconditional surrender, laying out a vision for the country's future under the slogan "Make Iran Great Again (MIGA)." He promised that once the regime falls and new leadership is chosen, the United States and its allies will work diligently to economically rebuild Iran.
In a Truth Social post, Trump asserted: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)'." This message was echoed aboard Air Force One.
The remarks coincide with the eighth day of Operation Epic Fury, a joint military campaign by the United States and Israel that began on February 28, 2026. Within the first 72 hours, allied forces struck over 1,700 targets in Iran, including nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow, Revolutionary Guard headquarters, air defenses, and the Iranian navy.
Trump further cautioned in recent posts about knowing the precise whereabouts of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whom he described as an "easy target," yet he has refrained from ordering his elimination "at least for now." "We have not gone to eliminate him, at least not yet. But we don't want missiles launched at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin," he stated.
The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989, perished during the initial bombings of the operation. Iran officially confirmed his death on March 1, declaring 40 days of national mourning. The Iranian command structure has since been severely crippled, with 49 senior officials and military leaders, including those from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), being taken out.
On March 3, Israel bombed the Assembly of Experts headquarters in Qom, the constitutional body responsible for selecting the new supreme leader, effectively stalling the formal succession process. Ali Larijani announced the creation of an Interim Leadership Council, composed of President Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and a cleric from the Guardian Council. Trump dismissed Khamenei's son as a potential successor, calling him "unacceptable."
Trump had already ruled out any negotiations by March 3, declaring it "too late to negotiate" with Iran. The Republican Senate supported this stance by rejecting a resolution invoking the War Powers Act, arguing that the operations are "strategic strikes" rather than a formal war requiring congressional approval.
As of Friday, six American soldiers have lost their lives in the operation, most notably in an Iranian drone attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1. The Pentagon identified four of them: Captain Cody Khork, Sergeant First Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, from Nebraska, Sergeant First Class Nicole M., and Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, from Iowa.
Trump anticipates that Operation Epic Fury will last four to five weeks, with the possibility of extension, and warned that "combat operations continue at full force and will persist until all our objectives are met."
Key Details of Operation Epic Fury
What is the main goal of Operation Epic Fury?
The main goal of Operation Epic Fury is to achieve the unconditional surrender of Iran’s regime and establish a new, acceptable leadership, while crippling Iran's military and nuclear capabilities.
How long is Operation Epic Fury expected to last?
Trump has estimated that Operation Epic Fury will last between four and five weeks, with the possibility of extension if necessary to meet all objectives.
Who are the key figures involved in Iran's interim leadership?
The Interim Leadership Council in Iran consists of President Pezeshkian, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and a cleric from the Guardian Council.