Trump demands unconditional surrender of Iran, shuts US embassy in Jerusalem

As the Israel-Iran conflict intensifies, US President Donald Trump has made a bold call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”

The United States also temporarily shut its embassy in Jerusalem amid escalating regional security concerns.

The U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday that the embassy in Jerusalem, along with its consular sections in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, will be closed from Wednesday, June 18 through Friday, June 20. The decision was made “given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance,” the department said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The embassy closure comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its sixth day, with military escalations and cyber threats gripping the region.

Trump, commenting on the ongoing crisis, urged the two longtime enemies to come to the negotiating table. “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” he said on his Truth Social platform, adding, “many calls and meetings [are] now taking place” and expressing optimism that peace “could be achieved soon.”

However, in a shift of tone shortly after, he called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” a remark that is likely to fuel further tensions.

Meanwhile, Tehran is also on high alert. Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has urged residents in parts of Tel Aviv to evacuate, signaling a heightened risk of further attacks. This comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted two drones entering Israeli airspace from the east, triggering red alert sirens in the Dead Sea area, according to the BBC.

Amid the digital front of the conflict, Iran’s state broadcaster called on citizens to delete WhatsApp, claiming that the app shares user data with Israel. WhatsApp quickly rejected the allegation, saying in a statement, “We do not track users’ precise location, we don’t keep logs of who is messaging whom, and we do not provide bulk data to any government.”

“At a time when people need secure communication the most, we are concerned these false reports will be used as an excuse to block our services,” the platform said, reaffirming its end-to-end encryption protocols.

The fighting has also reached sensitive infrastructure in Iran.

Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted Imam Hossein University in eastern Tehran, a facility closely tied to the IRGC, as well as the Khojir missile production center, a key node in Iran’s ballistic missile program. The latter site had previously been hit during Israeli strikes in October 2024, according to Iranian media cited by Reuters.

Russia has strongly condemned Israel’s actions.

In a statement on Telegram, the Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the attacks “illegal” and urged diplomatic engagement to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear program. Moscow praised Iran’s “clear statements” on remaining within the nuclear non-proliferation framework and expressed hope for “unvarnished” assessments from the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the damage inflicted on Iran’s facilities.

Oil prices have continued their upward trend amid fears of supply disruptions.

Brent crude rose 19 cents to $76.64 a barrel, and U.S. WTI crude climbed 23 cents to $75.07.

This followed a more than 4% spike in prices during the previous trading session. Concerns are mounting over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital chokepoint for nearly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil—especially after a fiery collision between two tankers on Tuesday.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations also flagged electronic interference affecting vessel navigation near the strait.