US President Donald Trump on Saturday sharply criticised Iran, describing it as the “loser of the Middle East” following comments from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressing regret to neighbouring countries for strikes carried out during the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel.

Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said Tehran had apologised to nearby nations and promised not to launch further attacks on them. According to him, this shift came after sustained military pressure from US and Israeli forces.

The US president also alleged that Iran had previously sought to dominate the region but had now lost that position due to the military campaign. Trump warned that Tehran could face further heavy strikes in the coming days.

Demand for “Unconditional Surrender”

A day earlier, Trump said the conflict could end only if Iran accepted “unconditional surrender.” He added that if the Iranian leadership stepped down and agreed to the terms, the United States and its partners would help rebuild the country’s economy and stabilise the nation.

Trump suggested that such a settlement could help Iran recover from the damage caused by the war and eventually restore economic growth.

Iran Responds

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told neighbouring states that Tehran had decided not to carry out further missile attacks against them unless those countries launched strikes against Iran first. The announcement followed discussions within an interim leadership council.

However, Pezeshkian made it clear that Iran would not accept surrender, saying that demands for capitulation would never be accepted by the Iranian people.

Escalating Military Campaign

Meanwhile, Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, said in a television interview that the most intense phase of the bombing campaign might still lie ahead.

The United States and Israel have carried out extensive airstrikes across Iran, targeting military infrastructure, senior officials and facilities linked to the country’s nuclear programme. The objectives of the operation have evolved over time, with some US officials suggesting the possibility of political change in Tehran.

Casualties and Regional Tensions

According to officials, the conflict has so far resulted in more than 1,200 deaths in Iran, over 200 in Lebanon and at least 11 in Israel. Six US service members have also been killed.

Amid the rising tensions, several explosions were reported in Dubai on Saturday morning. Authorities said air defence systems had been activated following the alerts. At Dubai International Airport, passengers preparing to depart were temporarily moved into underground train tunnels within the airport complex as a precaution.

The situation across the region remains volatile as the conflict continues to escalate.