Donald Trump has claimed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead following US and Israeli strikes, calling him ‘one of the most evil people in history’ – but Iran disputes the reports
Donald Trump has spoken out following reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have perished after US and Israeli strikes on Iran overnight, though Iran has disputed these claims.
The US President asserts that Khamenei has died, branding him “one of the most evil people in History” and suggesting this development aligns with his aims to establish peace across the Middle East, reports the Daily Star.
Taking to Truth Social, he declared: “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.
“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. 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. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves.
“That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
The US President spoke earlier to NBC News before his Truth Social post tonight and when asked about reports of the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader, he responded: “We feel that is a correct story.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in a significant attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, Israeli officials informed The Associated Press on Saturday. However, Iran has since refuted claims of his demise.In a brief phone interview with NBC News, Trump further stated that “a large amount of leadership” of Iran had been eliminated, clarifying: “I don’t mean like two people.”
He also claimed that “most” of Iran’s senior leadership is “gone,” including many decision-makers. When questioned about who might succeed Iran’s supreme leader, Trump quipped, “I don’t know. But at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like,” before acknowledging he was “only being a little sarcastic” with the remark.
The purported killing of the Islamic Republic’s second-ever leader, who had named no heir apparent, would plunge its future into uncertainty and heighten the likelihood of prolonged conflict amid Iranian vows of vengeance.During a nationally broadcast statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared there were “growing signs” that Khamenei had perished when Israel targeted his compound in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Following the address, two Israeli officials confirmed his death had been verified.
Both sources requested anonymity ahead of an official declaration and provided no additional information.
Khamenei took over from Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spearheaded the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He wielded ultimate authority over all significant policy matters, commanding Iran’s clerical hierarchy and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard – the twin pillars of power within the nation’s theocratic system.
As the assault on Iran progressed, President Donald Trump called upon the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” by mounting an uprising against the Islamic regime.In footage announcing the “major combat operations,” Trump addressed Iranians directly: “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”