'Trump did not have the desire, the courage, or the will to tell Israelis not to start this war'

Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday rejected U.S. calls for surrender in the face of blistering Israeli strikes and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage” to them, in a recorded video aired by state TV. It was the second public appearance by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei since the strikes began, and came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” in a social media post and warned Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is but has no plans to kill him, “at least not for now.” Trump initially distanced himself from Israel’s surprise attack on Friday that triggered the conflict, but in recent days has hinted at greater American involvement, saying he wants something “much bigger” than a ceasefire. The U.S. has also sent more military aircraft and warships to the region. Khamenei dismissed the “threatening and absurd statements” by Trump. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Erin Ogunkeye is pleased to welcome Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and Lecturer in International Affairs at George Washington University.