US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s military command structure has been “completely eliminated” in the ongoing American and Israeli strikes, warning Iranian forces to surrender or “face death”.

In a video address and media remarks, Trump said that US-Israeli forces targeted assets belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s air defence systems, and a naval building, while nine naval vessels had also been destroyed.

He said that the operation against Iran would continue until objectives were achieved.

Referring to the death of US soldiers in Iranian strikes, Trump said, “We will avenge the killing of Americans,” acknowledging that three US service members had been killed in Iranian attacks and warning that further American casualties were possible.

The president said Iran’s military leadership had been wiped out and claimed that many within the ranks were seeking to surrender.

He warned the IRGC, the Iranian army and police that those who lay down their arms could receive immunity, but those who refused would “face death”.

Separately, in a telephone interview with a British newspaper, Trump said the conflict could last up to four weeks, though it might end sooner.

He claimed that 48 key Iranian figures had been killed so far and said hundreds of targets inside Iran had been struck.

Trump reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and said he had spoken with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan about the crisis.

He expressed hope that “democracy will be established” in Iran after the war and urged Iranians to “take back their country”.

At the same time, Trump said he remained open to further negotiations with Iran’s new leadership, though he cautioned that talks might not happen soon.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials said that following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, constitutional mechanisms are underway to appoint a successor through the Assembly of Experts, and a temporary leadership council has assumed authority.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared to engage in talks with Washington, but stressed that continued bombardment of the capital had not weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

Iranian officials have described Khamenei’s death as martyrdom that has made the situation more dangerous.

Despite US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran and other cities, Iranian leaders have vowed retaliation and insisted the country’s governing structure remains functional.