Washington, March 1: President Donald Trump has announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died. He stated that U.S. airstrikes will continue throughout the week or as long as necessary.
In a statement, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the worst people in history,” asserting that his death represents “justice for the Iranian people.” He emphasized that it also serves as justice for American citizens and many others worldwide who have suffered due to Khamenei and his associates.
Trump noted that Khamenei could not evade U.S. intelligence and advanced tracking systems. He claimed that this operation was conducted in collaboration with Israel, and that Khamenei and other leaders killed alongside him were powerless to respond.
The President characterized this situation as the “greatest opportunity” for the Iranian people to reclaim their country. He mentioned that many members of Iran’s IRGC, military, and other security forces no longer wish to fight and are seeking security guarantees from the U.S. He warned that while they may receive protection now, they will ultimately face death later.
Trump expressed hope that the IRGC and police forces would work peacefully with patriotic Iranians to restore strength to the nation. He claimed that Khamenei’s death, along with significant losses on the same day, would have a profound impact on Iran.
He stated that precise and heavy bombing would continue until the goal of establishing peace is achieved. According to Trump, this action was taken to promote peace throughout the Middle East and the world.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt reported on X that “President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago with his National Security team.”
She added, “The President spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone.” Levitt further noted that before the attacks, Marco Rubio had contacted all members of the eight-person gang to provide congressional notification, successfully reaching seven of them.
She stated, “The President and his National Security team will closely monitor the situation throughout the day.”
U.S. officials told reporters that the President believes diplomacy is no longer a viable option. They indicated that intelligence reports suggest a serious threat from Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear program.
Following this announcement, tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated. The U.S. and Iran have been at odds for decades over Tehran’s nuclear program, regional proxies, and ballistic missile development.
