President Donald Trump announced that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead after a devastating U.S.-Israeli strike.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The announcement followed hours of speculation after American and Israeli forces unleashed Operation Epic Fury across Iran.
Trump said Khamenei “was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems.”
The president added that Israel worked “very closely” with the U.S. to eliminate Iran’s top leadership.
“This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans,” Trump said.
He accused Khamenei and his regime of decades of terror that left Americans and others “killed or mutilated.”
Trump made clear the operation is far from over.
“The heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted,” Trump wrote.
He said the strikes will go on “as long as necessary” to achieve peace in the Middle East.
Trump then delivered a direct message to the Iranian people.
“This is your chance to take back your country,” he said.
He called it “the single greatest opportunity” for Iranians to rise up against the regime.
The president said the U.S. is backing the Iranian people with “overwhelming strength and devastating force.”
Khamenei ruled Iran for more than three decades after taking power in 1989, as the Daily Mail reported.
His reign oversaw the expansion of Iran’s proxy networks across the Middle East.
Trump said those networks helped spread violence in Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza and beyond.
The White House confirmed multiple senior Iranian leaders were killed in the strikes.
Questions now swirl over who will replace Khamenei as Iran faces a leadership vacuum.
One possible successor is Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader’s son.
Another contender is Ali Larijani, who has recently gained influence inside the regime.
Trump hinted he could play a role in shaping Iran’s future leadership.
“At some point they’ll be calling me,” Trump told NBC News, saying he was “a little sarcastic.”
The president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were reportedly shown images confirming Khamenei’s death.
Satellite imagery showed heavy damage at the leader’s compound in Tehran.
Black smoke was seen rising from the site after the strike.
Iran has already begun retaliating with missile attacks across the region.
Targets have included U.S. and allied positions in Bahrain, Qatar, Israel and the Gulf.
Trump warned Americans that the conflict may come at a cost.
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost,” he said.
“That often happens in war, but this is a noble mission.”
Trump insisted no other president was willing to take this step.
“No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight,” he said.
He framed the operation as a turning point for both the United States and the Iranian people.
“Now you have a president who is giving you what you want,” Trump said.
The administration says the mission is aimed at ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions and dismantling the regime.
Trump declared the objective is simple: “Peace throughout the Middle East and the world.”
