On Friday, Donald Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as the United States prepared to escalate its military actions significantly.

The President, facing increasing pressure to resolve the conflict due to rising oil prices, promised to “Make Iran Great Again” if the Iranian government concedes defeat.

In a social media post, Trump declared, “There will be no agreement with Iran unless they surrender unconditionally. Once that happens and an outstanding, suitable leader is chosen, we, alongside our brave allies, will dedicate ourselves to revitalizing Iran, aiming to make it more prosperous and powerful than ever before. Iran has a promising future.”

Trump’s statement came in response to Iranian assertions that diplomatic negotiations between the two nations were underway.

His comments coincided with the release of a photograph showing evangelical leaders in the White House’s Oval Office on Thursday, where they prayed for his leadership and American success in dealing with Iran.

Additionally, reports surfaced on Friday suggesting U.S. officials suspect Russia of sharing intelligence with Iran, including the locations of American military assets. Russia has not responded to these accusations.

Iran was bracing for its heaviest night of US and Israeli bombardment, which may include bombers taking off from the UK airbase at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The first US long-range bomber permitted by the Prime Minister to launch attacks on Iran from a British base arrived at Fairford on Friday.

The huge B-1B Lancer flew from the US’s Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, accompanied by a USAF Super Galaxy. More US aircraft are expected after the PM’s embarrassing U-turn. The aircraft can now fly over Iran as the country’s air defences have been destroyed.

In what has become an annual ritual, evangelical leaders gathered around President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday and prayed over him and for US success in the war against Iran

A US Air Force B1 bomber arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday after the PM gave the green light for the US to use British bases to launch ‘defensive’ strikes against Iranian missile sites

Iran was bracing for its heaviest night of US and Israeli bombardment, which may include bombers taking off from the UK airbase at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire

Meanwhile, the threat to shipping caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led the US to fast-track plans to escort ships through the 24-mile wide waterway.

Iran’s temporary leadership council is understood to be deciding who should replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed a week ago in the first wave of US attacks.

According to security sources it would be ‘unthinkable’ to the theocratic regime that President Trump should have the final say on their choice, as he has demanded. While retired British General Sir Richard Shirreff criticised the US’s assassination of Khamenei, likening the act to ‘killing the Pope on the steps of St Peter’s’.

He said: ‘We should not be involved with the Americans closely. They are being led by gung-ho nutters Trump and Hegseth. This could go the way of Iraq. This is a war of hubris. The Americans have no idea how this ends. There is no strategy.

‘Khamenei was a religious figure for Shias, not just the head of state. His death will enflame the Shiite world, pushing large numbers of Iranians back into the fold of the irreconcilables.’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also condemned President Trump’s plan insisting it must be for Iran’s 90 million inhabitants to decide their leader.

The conflict continues to divide Europe with Spain reiterating its opposition to the US actions while Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy started a row about whether British forces could attack Iranian military infrastructure. 

Last night Downing Street was forced into a humiliating clarification after Mr Lammy appeared to indicate Britain could get further dragged into the conflict. Keir Starmer confirmed the UK has offered the US ‘limited, specific defensive purpose’ usage of British bases.

Last night Downing Street was forced into a humiliating clarification after Mr Lammy appeared to indicate Britain could get further dragged into the conflict. Keir Starmer confirmed the UK has offered the US ‘limited, specific defensive purpose’ usage of British bases.

Mr Lammy also referred to Cyprus as a Nato country and called RAF fighter jets ‘Tycoons’ rather than ‘Typhoons’. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will on Saturday accuse the Government of ‘playing student politics’ while the world rearms. 

In a speech to the party’s spring conference, she will say: ‘Keir Starmer spent days consulting lawyers and plucking up the courage to say whose side he was on, even though our allies had the moral clarity to do so immediately and unequivocally. Even now, he is sitting on the fence, still deciding what our role is going to be in this war.’

Mr Lammy also referred to Cyprus as a Nato country and called RAF fighter jets ‘Tycoons’ rather than ‘Typhoons’. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will on Saturday accuse the Government of ‘playing student politics’ while the world rearms. 

In a speech to the party’s spring conference, she will say: ‘Keir Starmer spent days consulting lawyers and plucking up the courage to say whose side he was on, even though our allies had the moral clarity to do so immediately and unequivocally. Even now, he is sitting on the fence, still deciding what our role is going to be in this war.’