Trump demands Tehran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as Israel continues pounding Iran with airstrikes | First Thing

<p>Israel-Iran conflict is at a critical juncture as thousands flee Tehran. Plus, Alex Padilla makes speech about being handcuffed</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/info/2018/sep/17/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed"><strong>Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Good morning.</p><p>Israel’s war on Iran appeared to be approaching a pivotal moment on Tuesday night after five days of bombing and retaliatory Iranian missile strikes, as Donald Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Tehran and weighed his military options.</p><p><strong>What’s the latest in the conflict?</strong> Israel’s defense forces said they launched a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/18/iran-israel-live-updates-air-strikes-tehran-trump-khamenei-middle-east-latest-news">fresh wave of strikes on Tehran</a> in the early hours of Wednesday morning, warning residents in parts of the city to urgently evacuate.</p><p><strong>What’s the situation on the ground?</strong> Some Tehran residents are fleeing the capital, with witnesses citing strong explosions hitting buildings in western and eastern parts of Tehran on Tuesday evening, the Associated Press reports.</p><p><strong>This is a developing story.</strong> Follow our live updates <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/18/iran-israel-live-updates-air-strikes-tehran-trump-khamenei-middle-east-latest-news">here</a>.</p><p><strong>What did Padilla say?</strong> “If that is what the administration is willing to do to a United States senator for having the [audacity] to simply ask a question, imagine what they’ll do to any American who dares to speak up.”</p><p><strong>What did Lander’s wife say?</strong> In a news conference after the arrest, Meg Barnette said she was “extraordinarily proud” of her husband and called the ordeal “shocking and unacceptable.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/first-thing-trump-tehran-unconditional-surrender-israel-iran-airstrikes">Continue reading...</a>