Trump’s Iran objective moves from ‘surrender’ to nuclear deal

(The Center Square) – In seven weeks, President Donald Trump’s stated objective toward Iran has shifted from “unconditional surrender” to a negotiated nuclear deal.

The administration has not explained the change.

On March 6, six days after attacks against Iran started, Trump posted on Truth Social that there would be “no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” On the same day, the U.S. State Department relayed Trump’s message to the Iranian people directly: “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”

On Tuesday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the administration’s objective as ensuring Iran “never has a nuclear weapon” through a deal. When a reporter at a Pentagon briefing asked when Trump decided to “capitulate on his demand for unconditional surrender,” Hegseth said the president “hasn’t capitulated on anything” but did not address the change in stated objectives.

The Pentagon referred questions from The Center Square about the...