Trump confirms Ayatollah’s death, vows continued strikes in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing it as “justice” and a pivotal moment for both the Iranian people and the United States.

In a strongly worded statement, Trump characterised Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history,” accusing him of responsibility for the deaths and injuries of Americans and others worldwide.

He said the operation that led to Khamenei’s death was made possible through advanced U.S. intelligence and tracking systems, carried out in close coordination with Israel.

According to the president, several other senior Iranian leaders were also killed in the strikes.

He claimed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members and elements within Iran’s military and security forces were seeking immunity and showing reluctance to continue fighting.

“As I said last night, ‘Now they can have immunity, later they only get death,’” Trump stated, urging Iran’s security forces to join what he described as “Iranian patriots” in reclaiming the country.

Trump framed the development as a historic opportunity for regime change in Tehran, asserting that the country had been “very much destroyed” in a single day of heavy and precise bombing.

He confirmed that military operations would continue throughout the week, or for as long as necessary, to achieve what he called “peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world.”

The remarks come amid escalating tensions following joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Iranian authorities have yet to formally confirm Khamenei’s death.