Trump Declares Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei Has Died
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has died, a claim made in the wake of coordinated military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian targets.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead,” Trump stated on Truth Social, emphasizing the significance of the event.
According to Trump, Khamenei was “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems,” asserting that there was “not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.”
At 86 years old, Khamenei had been the supreme leader of Iran since 1989, wielding ultimate authority over the nation’s political, military, and religious institutions. His death leaves a notable power vacuum, as no clear successor has been identified.
Earlier that day, Trump had revealed that a significant military operation against Iran had commenced, suggesting a push for regime change. He urged the Iranian populace to “seize control” of their “destiny,” framing the moment as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”
Despite the announcement of Khamenei's death, Trump indicated that “the heavy and pinpoint bombing” would persist “uninterrupted throughout the week” or “as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
Reports from Iranian state media indicated that at least 201 individuals were killed and 700 injured due to the strikes, with over 50 fatalities resulting from an attack on a girls’ school.
In retaliation, Iran launched strikes against Israel and U.S. military bases across the region. As of Saturday afternoon, U.S. military officials reported no American casualties from the ongoing conflict.
