Trump Calls Iran Supreme Leader 'Easy Target', But Won't 'Take Him Out' For Now

US President Donald Trump issued a threat to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, calling the Iran head of state an "easy target".

"We know exactly where the so-called "Supreme Leader" is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump posted on Truth Social.

"But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he added.

Trump's threats come after a tense exchange of missile attacks between Israel and Iran which began when the former launched targeted attacks on Iran's nuclear scientists, nuclear facilities, military commanders and military infrastructure.

The US has not involved itself militarily as of yet. Israel and the global superpower were among the countries that opposed Iran's nuclear enrichment programmes on the grounds that they were reportedly being used for "non-peaceful purposes", a claim that was also put forward by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency.

Trump had threatened a potential "massive conflict", if Iran went ahead with its plans.

Trump also said he wanted a "permanent end" to Iran's path to a nuclear weapon, according to Bloomberg reports.

“An end. A real end. Not a ceasefire. An end,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One

This was in response to the request to clarify his words, when he said that he would be leaving the G7 Summit meeting in Canada for something "much bigger" than a temporary peace deal.

The president also said that the US has "complete and total control of the skies over Iran," in another social media post.

Trump also demanded "unconditional surrender" from Iran.