China Reacts to Trump Khamenei Threat

China urged the U.S. to use its "special influence" over Israel to ease the conflict with Iran and not to expand it further, after U.S. President Donald Trump put Tehran on notice with a demand of unconditional surrender on the nuclear issue. Trump warned Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is hiding and he is an "easy target," though safe "for now." Trump added on his Truth Social platform: "Our patience is wearing thin."

The U.S. has strengthened its military posture in the Middle East, increasing its resources in the region to give Trump the option to join Israel's strikes on Iran if he sees fit. Israel says it struck Iran to stop an active military nuclear program.

Trump is urging Iran to make a last-ditch deal that ends the war. He says he will not allow Iran to build a nuclear bomb, an ambition Tehran denies having, saying it only seeks nuclear energy for civilian purposes.

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