June 18, 2025, Washington US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning against Iran on Tuesday, including a threat to secretly assassinate the supreme leader. Nevertheless, US officials say there is still a limited window of opportunity for a diplomatic solution. The Pentagon has increased its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional fighter squadrons, a second aircraft carrier, and several destroyers. Defense Secretary Pat Hegseth has presented Trump with military options. B-52 bombers are based at Diego Garcia, replacing B-2 stealth bombers for strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The B-2 is the only aircraft capable of destroying Iran’s deep-sea nuclear facilities, such as Fordow. According to former CENTCOM commander Joseph Votel, the B-2 could be deployed to the region soon. The US military is currently in a defensive position and is not attacking Iran, but Trump claimed that “we have complete control over the skies of Iran.” He said that Iranian missile attacks should not harm civilians or US troops, otherwise “our patience will run out.” Iran has refused to negotiate during the Israeli attacks, but Trump's ultimatum is clear that he could target Khamenei.