Good evening! Here’s your Tuesday wrap from SOFREP’s Evening Brief for June 17, 2025: Trump’s turning up the pressure on Iran, demanding “unconditional surrender” and hinting Khamenei’s not off-limits. Israeli strikes have taken out Iran’s top commanders, leaving Khamenei increasingly isolated. Trump bailed early from the G7 while the rest of the leaders carried on. Russia slammed Kyiv with its deadliest attack this year. Denmark rolled out US-made naval drones in the Baltic. The Pentagon tapped OpenAI for a $200 million military AI contract, and North Korea is reportedly sending 6,000 troops to help rebuild Russia’s war-torn Kursk region.
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Trump Demands Iran’s “Unconditional Surrender,” Warns Khamenei Is NOT A Target—“For Now”
US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric Tuesday amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict, declaring the US knows the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but does not plan to kill him—“at least not for now.”
Trump’s statement came as he demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and warned that American patience “is wearing thin.”
Trump cut short his appearance at the G7 summit to return to Washington for urgent national security meetings. Before leaving, he rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, with US officials citing concerns that such an action could dangerously expand the conflict. Still, Trump emphasized that the US had complete aerial control over Tehran and would act if Iran continued to target civilians or American forces.
Trump expressed frustration that Iranian leaders had not agreed to a nuclear deal, stating they “should have done the deal” and that he was now seeking “a real end” to the conflict. He also dismissed assessments from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard that Iran is not currently developing nuclear weapons, asserting his belief that Tehran was close to doing so.
Amid Israeli calls for US assistance to destroy Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites—particularly the Fordo facility—Trump faces pressure to supply bunker-busting GBU-57 bombs and additional military support. Israel has already conducted widespread airstrikes across Iran and claims it can now strike freely, but lacks the capacity to eliminate deeply buried targets without American support.
Good evening! Here’s your Tuesday wrap from SOFREP’s Evening Brief for June 17, 2025: Trump’s turning up the pressure on Iran, demanding “unconditional surrender” and hinting Khamenei’s not off-limits. Israeli strikes have taken out Iran’s top commanders, leaving Khamenei increasingly isolated. Trump bailed early from the G7 while the rest of the leaders carried on. Russia slammed Kyiv with its deadliest attack this year. Denmark rolled out US-made naval drones in the Baltic. The Pentagon tapped OpenAI for a $200 million military AI contract, and North Korea is reportedly sending 6,000 troops to help rebuild Russia’s war-torn Kursk region.
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Trump Demands Iran’s “Unconditional Surrender,” Warns Khamenei Is NOT A Target—“For Now”
US President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric Tuesday amid the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict, declaring the US knows the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but does not plan to kill him—“at least not for now.”
Trump’s statement came as he demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and warned that American patience “is wearing thin.”
Trump cut short his appearance at the G7 summit to return to Washington for urgent national security meetings. Before leaving, he rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, with US officials citing concerns that such an action could dangerously expand the conflict. Still, Trump emphasized that the US had complete aerial control over Tehran and would act if Iran continued to target civilians or American forces.
Trump expressed frustration that Iranian leaders had not agreed to a nuclear deal, stating they “should have done the deal” and that he was now seeking “a real end” to the conflict. He also dismissed assessments from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard that Iran is not currently developing nuclear weapons, asserting his belief that Tehran was close to doing so.
Amid Israeli calls for US assistance to destroy Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites—particularly the Fordo facility—Trump faces pressure to supply bunker-busting GBU-57 bombs and additional military support. Israel has already conducted widespread airstrikes across Iran and claims it can now strike freely, but lacks the capacity to eliminate deeply buried targets without American support.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 17, 2025
Meanwhile, Trump’s calls for an evacuation of Tehran and his creation of a State Department task force to assist Americans in the Middle East signal a possible shift toward deeper US involvement.
However, divisions within Trump’s MAGA base are growing. Critics like Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene warn against entangling the US in another war, while hawks like Sen. Lindsey Graham urge Trump to deliver a decisive blow to Iran.
Vice President JD Vance defended Trump’s stance, stating the president remains consistent that Iran must end uranium enrichment, either “the easy way or the ‘other’ way.” As tensions climb, Trump’s strategy appears to walk a fine line between coercive diplomacy and veiled threats of overwhelming force.
Khamenei Faces Isolation and Strategic Risk After Top Advisers Killed in Israeli Strikes
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is facing unprecedented isolation after Israeli airstrikes killed several of his top military and security advisers, including key commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), sources close to his inner circle told reporters.
Among the dead are IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, aerospace chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh—head of the missile program—and intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi. These figures were part of Khamenei’s core advisory group, typically consisting of 15–20 loyalists drawn from clerical, political, and military leadership. Their deaths leave critical gaps in Iran’s war planning and national security management, raising fears of dangerous miscalculations as conflict with Israel escalates.
NEW: Israel has continued striking Iranian military targets, especially sites tied to the Iranian missile program. Israel has also struck a target with ties to the Iranian chemical weapons program. (1/2) ⬇️
Israel conducted a strike killing the newly appointed commander of the… pic.twitter.com/5ClvB9whl8
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) June 17, 2025
Khamenei, 86, retains ultimate authority over Iran’s armed forces and national policy. Though cautious and methodical in decision-making, he now lacks the trusted military counsel that has underpinned his regime’s stability during prior crises.
According to insiders, while Khamenei still receives advice from political and economic aides, the vacuum left by these military losses is acute.
His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has increasingly taken a central role in coordinating decisions across Iran’s security and political institutions, reportedly serving as a potential successor. He holds deep ties to the Guards, further cementing his influence.
Other trusted officials remain close to the Supreme Leader, including political aide Ali Asghar Hejazi, presidential office head Mohammad Golpayegani, and foreign policy veterans Ali Akbar Velayati, Kamal Kharazi, and Ali Larijani.
Despite the leadership losses, Khamenei continues to rely on the IRGC, which answers directly to him and has long functioned as his primary tool for domestic suppression and regional operations. Yet the recent Israeli strikes—part of a broader campaign targeting Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” network—have crippled its top-tier command.
Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, once a key ally, was killed in September, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.
With economic pressures mounting from Western sanctions and a dangerous war with Israel unfolding, Khamenei’s leadership is entering its most precarious phase since the Islamic Republic’s founding.
G6 Leaders Push Ahead Without Trump as G7 Summit Ends Amid Global Crises
Six of the Group of Seven leaders wrapped up the summit Tuesday in Canada without US President Donald Trump, who departed early amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The remaining G6—leaders from Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan—were joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to address Russia’s war on Ukraine and the intensifying Israel-Iran conflict.
Zelenskyy, speaking after a deadly Russian bombardment on Kyiv killed 15 and injured over 150, urged allies for more support and proposed an “unconditional ceasefire,” calling for international pressure on Moscow.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged $2 billion in new military aid, including drones, reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces additional sanctions against Russia – and military and financial assistance for Ukraine.
Speaking alongside President Zelenskyy at the G7, Mr Carney vows to provide “unwavering” support for Ukraine.
Latest: https://t.co/e9oTbn2xWE pic.twitter.com/3cNy09TnJv
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 17, 2025
Trump’s abrupt exit—after demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warning its citizens to flee Tehran—dominated the summit’s final day. Before leaving, Trump signed a joint G7 statement opposing Iranian nuclear weapons and calling for a de-escalation in Gaza. He also finalized a trade agreement with British PM Keir Starmer but overshadowed it by dropping the signed documents, prompting Starmer to retrieve them amid tight security.
The summit revealed deep divisions. Trump declined to support new G7 sanctions against Russia, citing costs to the US, and restated that the Ukraine war would never have happened if Russia hadn’t been expelled from the G7 in 2014. His trade policy remained confrontational, maintaining steep tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos, with threats of further hikes next month.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed for a final communiqué on the Israel-Iran crisis, warning against Iranian nuclear capability. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the G7 as “pale and useless,” suggesting forums like the G20 were more relevant.
Despite high-level drama and geopolitical flashpoints, the G6 leaders pressed ahead, aiming to demonstrate unity and influence even as their most prominent member charted a separate course.
Russia Launches Deadliest Attack on Kyiv in 2024, Killing 15 and Injuring Over 150
A Russian missile and drone barrage overnight Tuesday killed at least 15 people and injured 156 in Ukraine, with Kyiv suffering its deadliest assault of the year.
The nearly nine-hour attack destroyed a nine-story residential building and damaged dozens of apartments, marking what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called “one of the most terrifying strikes” on the capital since the war began.
Russia launched over 440 drones and 32 missiles in the strike, which coincided with Zelenskyy’s arrival at the G7 summit in Canada. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko declared Wednesday a day of mourning, while emergency crews responded to 27 impact sites across the city. A US citizen was among the dead, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 17, 2025
The assault followed failed peace negotiations and comes as Russia intensifies both aerial attacks and its summer offensive along the eastern and northeastern fronts. The Kremlin continues to claim it targets only military sites, but the United Nations estimates over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have died in the war.
Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes of its own. Russia’s military claimed to have downed over 200 Ukrainian drones across 10 regions. Meanwhile, Moscow briefly shut down flights at multiple airports due to the threat. Ukrainian shelling also killed two civilians in Russia’s Kursk region, and a separate Russian drone strike killed one person in Odesa.
❗️🇺🇦Ukrainian military from the 103rd Territorial Defense Brigade destroyed a 🇷🇺Russian BTR-80 in the Kursk direction pic.twitter.com/IxECDgFs0L
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) June 15, 2025
With no new peace talks in sight and Zelenskyy’s scheduled meeting with President Trump canceled due to the latter’s early departure from the G7, Ukraine continues to seek firm backing from Western allies. British PM Keir Starmer and others have reaffirmed support for Kyiv, while Trump has resisted new sanctions, insisting they would financially burden the US.
Denmark Deploys US-Made Unmanned Ships for Baltic and North Sea Surveillance
Denmark has deployed two unmanned surface vessels developed by US company Saildrone to enhance maritime surveillance in the Baltic Sea and North Sea, Danish defense officials confirmed Monday.
The autonomous ships, known as Voyagers, are 10 meters long and capable of operating independently for up to three months.
Two additional drones were launched last week as part of NATO’s Task Force X. All four unmanned vessels will undergo a three-month trial with the Danish Navy to evaluate performance in busy and strategically sensitive waters, including Denmark’s internal straits.
Equipped with sensors capable of scanning up to 300 meters deep, the Voyagers aim to provide advanced maritime domain awareness. Their missions include detecting threats above and below the surface, including smuggling, illegal fishing, and sabotage of undersea infrastructure.
🇪🇺🇩🇰 Denmark Deploys Surface Drones to Patrol Baltic and North Seas 🫡👏👍 pic.twitter.com/AJPPJ3Cw3C
— Intermarium 24 (@intermarium24) June 17, 2025
The deployment comes amid increased tension in the Baltic region following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Recent incidents involving damaged undersea cables have raised alarms over potential hybrid warfare tactics.
Saildrone, which partners with the US Navy, sees these vessels as force multipliers that can monitor large maritime areas that traditional manned ships cannot cover consistently. CEO Richard Jenkins emphasized the importance of these drones in countering a wide range of covert maritime threats.
Pentagon Awards OpenAI $200M to Develop Military-Grade AI
The US Department of Defense has granted OpenAI a $200 million contract to develop generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools for national security applications.
The contract aims to prototype frontier AI capabilities for both combat and administrative functions.
According to the Pentagon, OpenAI will focus on enhancing operational efficiency in areas such as healthcare access for service members and strengthening cybersecurity. The initiative marks OpenAI’s first formal government partnership under its public sector AI deployment program.
OpenAI emphasized that all military applications will adhere to its usage guidelines. The company also maintains that its AI development supports democratic values and US-led governance of the technology.
OpenAI wins $200M contract with US Department of Defense to develop prototype AI systems to address warfighting and enterprise challenges in national security sector pic.twitter.com/BQgu1yrH47
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) June 17, 2025
This move comes amid growing interest from major tech firms—including Meta, Palantir, and Anduril—in aligning AI innovation with US defense needs.
OpenAI previously partnered with Anduril Industries to integrate AI into counter-drone systems and other unmanned aerial threat responses.
The contract signals a deeper integration of cutting-edge commercial AI into US military strategy and infrastructure.
North Korea to Deploy Thousands of Troops and Builders to Rebuild Russia’s Kursk Region
North Korea will send 6,000 personnel—including 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military construction workers—to Russia’s Kursk region to help clear mines and rebuild infrastructure following a Ukrainian incursion earlier this year, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu announced Tuesday.
Shoigu made the statement after a meeting in Pyongyang with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking their second high-level discussion in two weeks.
Shoigu, acting under “special instructions” from President Vladimir Putin, said North Korean troops previously helped repel Ukrainian forces from Kursk in August 2024. The reconstruction effort is expected to begin soon, starting with demining operations.
The move signals deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang amid growing hostility with the West. The two nations signed a strategic partnership treaty in June that includes a mutual defense pact, which Russia later cited when justifying the deployment of North Korean soldiers to its territory.
⚡ North Korea has pledged to send 1,000 military sappers and 5,000 military construction workers to Russia to help rebuild the Kursk region.https://t.co/a8uOnkWggO
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) June 17, 2025
During the visit, Shoigu handed Kim a message from Putin and discussed global security issues, including the wars in Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula. Russian state media released footage of Kim and Shoigu embracing and holding talks in a formal setting, underscoring the closeness of their alliance.
Shoigu also said the two leaders discussed plans to construct a memorial complex in Pyongyang to honor North Korean troops killed in Kursk. British intelligence recently estimated North Korea suffered over 6,000 casualties in that operation, though Pyongyang has not released any figures.
North Korea has been accused by the US, Ukraine, and South Korea of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, anti-tank rockets, and millions of artillery rounds to sustain its war against Ukraine.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang deny any arms transfers, but a Reuters investigation in April 2025 confirmed large-scale shipments of North Korean munitions reaching the front lines.
Sources: Reuters, The Associated Press, and other News Agencies
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