WASHINGTON — Donald Trump announced today that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed following a coordinated predawn military operation conducted by the United States and Israel.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump declared that Khamenei “is dead,” describing him as “one of the most evil people in history” and calling the development “justice for the people of Iran.” He said the action represents accountability not only for Iranians but also for Americans and others worldwide affected by Iran’s military and proxy operations.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump wrote. “This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
Trump confirmed that the United States carried out what he described as “major combat operations” in Iran and said military action would continue “as long as necessary” to “achieve peace in the Middle East.”
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “many signs” suggesting Khamenei had been killed in the strikes. The Israeli military later reported that approximately 200 warplanes participated in the operation.
Iranian officials reported significant casualties. According to the local governor in southern Iran, at least 108 people were killed in a strike on a girls’ primary school, most of them children.
The Iranian Red Crescent, cited by state media, said at least 201 people were killed in the broader U.S.–Israeli offensive.
Iranian forces responded with retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli military bases across the Middle East after cities including Tehran were hit early Saturday.
Khamenei, 86, had led the Islamic Republic since 1989 as Iran’s highest political and religious authority.
During his tenure, he served as the central architect of the country’s military posture and nuclear strategy.
Further details are expected as the situation continues to develop.
