Iran rejects Trump’s White House visit remark, warns of retaliation

The US military is prepared to execute any decision President Donald Trump makes regarding war or peace, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday amid rising tensions with Iran.

Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth declined to confirm whether strike options had been presented but emphasized readiness: “If and when those decisions are made, the Department is prepared to execute them.”

Fars News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, dismissed reports that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s location had been identified and targeted, calling them false.

The outlet said such reports reflect “the anger and confusion of the US and Israel” following Khamenei’s recent remarks. It added that Khamenei is in “full health.”

Iran has expressed interest in negotiating, President Donald Trump said Wednesday adding that Tehran had even proposed a visit to the White House.

“They should have negotiated sooner,” Trump told reporters, adding that Iran is now “totally defenseless” with “no air defense whatsoever.”

While providing no specifics on diplomatic overtures, Trump hinted at a turning point. “There’s a big difference between now and a week ago,” he said.

Asked if the US might strike Iran, he replied, “Can’t say whether we will strike,” adding, “Next week will be big — maybe less than a week.”

Pressed on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Trump responded: “Good luck.” Earlier, Khamenei had rejected calls for surrender.

Trump also said, “It’s very late to be talking,” and declined to reveal his intentions. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said, leaving open the prospect of US military involvement.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK, along with the High Representative of the European Union urged Iran and Israel to de-escalate their conflict during a June 16 call with Tehran’s foreign minister, said the EU in a statement on Wednesday.

The E3 and EU reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense under international law but pressed all sides to return to diplomacy.

They also warned Iran against withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and expressed deep concern over Tehran’s expanding nuclear program and continued safeguards violations.

“E3 Ministers and the High Representative of the European Union reiterated their longstanding concerns about Iran’s nuclear program which largely exceeds any credible civilian purpose, and Iran’s ongoing non-compliance with its legally binding safeguards obligations.”

Residents shared footage with Iran International on Wednesday showing major explosions across eastern and western Tehran.

One video captured a powerful blast in the mountains east of the capital, striking the Nobonyad area.

Other videos showed explosions in Phase 8 of Pardis to the east, Shahrak-e Esteghlal near Chitgar in the west, and renewed Israeli strikes on Shahran—where a fuel depot was previously targeted.

Another explosion was reported near Seoul Street in northern Tehran.