Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Saturday that a “large amount” of Iran’s senior leadership was killed in coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a phone interview, Trump said, “The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone,” adding that multiple high-ranking officials were killed across three separate attacks. He declined to provide specific operational details.
Shortly after the call, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Khamenei was dead, calling the development “justice” for victims of what he described as Iran’s aggression abroad.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV confirmed Khamenei’s death on social media, describing him as “martyred” in the strikes. State news agency Islamic Republic News Agency later reported that senior figures including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour were also killed.
Operation Epic Fury
The joint offensive, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began at 1:15 a.m. ET, according to United States Central Command. Officials said targets included command and control centers, missile and drone launch facilities, air defense systems and military airfields.
CENTCOM stated the operation involved coordinated strikes from air, land and sea forces. It also marked the first combat deployment of low-cost, one-way attack drones by U.S. forces.
Trump said he has been monitoring developments from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and described the operation as already successful.
“We’ve inflicted tremendous damage. It would take them years to rebuild,” he said. On a scale of zero to 10, he added, the mission is “close to the 10 spot.”
Uncertainty Over Iran’s Leadership
When asked who might succeed Khamenei, Trump said he did not know but quipped that Iranian officials might eventually ask for his input. “I’m only being a little sarcastic,” he added.
Iran has not formally announced a permanent successor, though officials have indicated that constitutional mechanisms are in place to establish temporary leadership.
Call for Regime Change
Trump urged Iranian citizens to overthrow their government, calling the moment a rare opportunity.
“It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said in a video statement.
The administration has defended the strikes as necessary to eliminate imminent threats related to Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, after diplomatic negotiations failed to produce an agreement this week.
Divided Reaction in Congress
While most Republican lawmakers praised the operation, several Democrats criticized the president for launching military action without prior congressional authorization. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul also raised concerns about executive authority.
Some lawmakers have signaled plans to introduce a War Powers resolution next week, potentially setting up a contentious debate on Capitol Hill over the scope of presidential military power.
Escalation Risks Remain
Trump acknowledged the possibility of retaliation and warned Tehran against escalating further, stating that any major counterattack would prompt an even stronger U.S. response.
As the situation unfolds, regional tensions remain high, and global leaders have called for de-escalation to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
