【Wen / Observers Network, Qi Qian】

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to escalate. So far, the missiles the US has launched at Iran have not stopped, and Trump's verbal battles have also not stopped.

On March 7 local time, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, posted on social media, vowing revenge, saying that Trump "must, and will pay the price."

Later that day, US President Trump gave an interview with CBS, responding from afar, saying he "didn't care at all." He mentioned Iranian President Pezeshkian's apology to neighboring countries, attributing it to himself, claiming that Iran "surrendered and gave in because of me." He also said that the US had successfully weakened Iran's military and regime, sinking more than 40 warships, and threatening to continue expanding attacks.

Reportedly, Larijani was a close ally of Iran's late Supreme Leader Khamenei. He posted a bilingual post in English and Persian on the X platform on March 7: "We will take revenge for our leader and people without mercy. Trump must pay the price, and he will definitely pay the price."

X platform censored Larijani's English post, citing "possible violation of community rules."

Screenshot of social media

Larijani also stated on the same day that Iran had captured several American soldiers, and that the US was hiding information about the captured personnel. The US military immediately refuted this, calling Iran's claims "full of lies."

"I don't know what he is talking about, nor do I know who he is. I don't care at all," Trump said during a phone interview with CBS later that evening, saying Larijani "has already been defeated."

Trump also refuted recent criticisms by Larijani and other Iranian leaders, calling them "weak and losing influence in the region." He reiterated that US attacks would continue, and called on Iran to "surrender unconditionally."

That day, Pezeshkian revealed in a television address that the temporary leadership committee of Iran had approved on the previous day: Iran would no longer attack neighboring countries unless attacks against Iran were launched from the territories of these countries. He also apologized on behalf of the Iranian government to neighboring countries that had recently been attacked.

In response, Trump continued his verbal attacks and accused Iran of spreading false information: "He wanted to take over the Middle East, but he had to yield and surrender to all those countries because of me. He has surrendered to all Middle Eastern countries because he tried to take over the entire Middle East. That's why all those rockets were aimed at those countries. He had planned it long before all this started."

During the interview, Trump praised his own Middle East strategy and policies, claiming that the US had successfully weakened Iran's military and regime.

"Our job was done too well," Trump claimed, "missiles were blown into pieces, leaving very few. Drones were destroyed. Factories are being bombed. The navy is gone, sunk to the bottom of the sea. 42 ships, 42 ships, in six days, 42 ships. The navy is gone. The air force is gone. Every element of their military is gone. Their leadership is gone. Nothing is left."

The US Central Command, responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, earlier stated that at least 43 Iranian vessels had been damaged or destroyed.

Trump added, "We won at an unprecedented level and speed."

Regarding the role of US allies, Trump said he focused on US military actions. "I don't care at all. Whatever they want to do, they can do. Those loyal (allies) have already participated."

Trump again criticized the British military's late action. He told CBS that Britain sending a carrier now was unnecessary. "It's a bit late, right? A bit late." He had previously posted that Britain was ready with two carriers, possibly deployed in the Middle East, while criticizing British Prime Minister Starmer for moving too slowly and not allowing the US to use British bases in the Middle East for strikes in a timely manner.

Video screenshot of Trump speaking recently

Since the joint attack by the US and Israel on February 28, the US has stated that at least six military personnel have died. Iran stated on April 4 that US and Israeli casualties "exceeded 680." According to statistics from the Iranian Red Crescent, the conflict has caused at least 1,300 deaths in Iran.

So far, there are no signs of easing tensions. Trump has vowed that Iran must "surrender unconditionally," and Iran has vowed revenge.

On the evening of the 6th, Trump posted on social media that no agreement would be reached between the US and Iran unless Iran "surrendered unconditionally." He later told a US media outlet that "unconditional surrender" did not necessarily mean formal surrender, but could also mean "that no one or no equipment in Iran can fight."

Pezeshkian's latest statement on the 8th said that Iran has never and will never submit to "bullying, oppression, and aggression," and "will not allow enemies to occupy even an inch of land." He said that Iran's armed forces and militias have been deployed nationwide, and if any country attempts to attack or invade Iran, Iran will be forced to respond, but this does not mean that Iran has disputes with its neighbors.

CBS believes that the ongoing and sharp exchanges between the two sides highlight the uncertainty of diplomatic contact between the US and Iran in the coming weeks.

According to Iranian media on the 8th, the Iranian Assembly of Experts has made a final decision on the new Supreme Leader.

The report cited Ayatollah Mirbagheri's words, saying that the members of the Assembly of Experts made great efforts to determine the Supreme Leader, and the final decision representing the majority opinion has been made. The report did not reveal the name of the new Supreme Leader.

The Iranian Assembly of Experts is the highest authority responsible for electing, supervising, and removing the Supreme Leader of Iran.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7614841134891794986/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.