United States President, Donald Trump, has confirmed that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. 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 said in a post on Truth Social late Saturday.
He added, “This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us.”
The confirmation followed earlier claims by Israeli sources that Khamenei had been killed in Saturday’s strikes.
According to a report by CNN, two Israeli sources familiar with the matter said Khamenei was killed during the operation. One of the sources said Israel had obtained a photo of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s dead body, while the second source said an official announcement was being prepared.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were many signs that Khamenei is “no longer with us.”
However, Iran earlier denied the claim. A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Iran’s president and Supreme Leader are “safe and sound.” Khamenei has not been seen in public or in videos since the strikes began.
The development followed coordinated military action by the United States and Israel, marking a sharp escalation in tensions with Iran.
The first apparent strike occurred near offices linked to Khamenei, as explosions were reported across several cities and smoke rose above the capital, Tehran.
Iranian state media confirmed attacks nationwide, while authorities shut down airspace and disrupted mobile phone services as additional blasts echoed across the city.
Trump had earlier confirmed the operation in a video posted on social media, declaring that Washington had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He accused Tehran of continuing nuclear development and pursuing missile capabilities that could eventually threaten the United States.
He also appealed directly to Iranian citizens, urging them to “take over your government,” while acknowledging the possibility of American casualties, stating that such outcomes “often happen in war.”
