...
By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump on Saturday declared Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead, hailing the killing as an act of justice and urging the Iranian people to seize what he called a historic opportunity to reclaim their country—as U.S. and Israeli forces continued a sweeping military campaign across the country.
"This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that Khamenei's death was justice "not only for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans" killed or harmed by the regime.
Israeli officials confirmed Khamenei was killed in a strike on his compound in Tehran as part of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive that began early Saturday morning.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Saturday morning struck multiple targets in Iran, killing at least 200 people, and injuring over 740, according to Iran's Red Crescent, per state television. The death toll is expected to grow as more reports come in, with the number of people reportedly killed at a girl's school in southern Iran exceeding 85 people, per the local governor. The Islamic Republic then launched retaliatory strikes across U.S. bases in the Middle East, widening the conflict.
The attacks mark a sharp escalation following recent nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran and raise the risk of a wider regional conflict. Trump said the strikes were intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and urged Iranians to overthrow their leaders once the operation ends. The president and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
Israel, along with the U.S., struck Iran in June, taking out several top officials then. At that time, the U.S. conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan—as part of an operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer."
What To Know
Saturday's joint operation, which officials say was planned for months, was accelerated following the collapse of nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday between the U.S. and Iran. A senior U.S. official said intelligence showed Iran had rebuilt key nuclear infrastructure destroyed in last June's strikes and had developed the capability to produce high-quality centrifuges—a critical step toward weapons-grade uranium enrichment. Iran had blocked international inspectors from visiting bombed sites, and satellite imagery analyzed by the Associated Press showed new activity at two of those locations.
Iran, meanwhile, has repeatedly denied it was pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Beyond Khamenei, Israel said its strikes killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's defense minister, and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council—effectively decimating the upper tier of the Islamic Republic's military and security leadership. U.S. military targets included Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields, according to U.S. Central Command.
Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. About 12 hours into the operation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported no American casualties and only minimal damage despite what it described as "hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks." Regional fallout has been significant—Saudi Arabia reported Iranian strikes targeting its capital and eastern region, Kuwait said a drone targeted its main international airport, and shrapnel from an Iranian missile killed one person in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Jordan said it intercepted 49 drones and ballistic missiles.
Democrats and some Republican lawmakers have decried Trump's decision to launch the offensive without congressional authorization. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration briefed several congressional leaders in advance. Trump acknowledged Saturday that American casualties were possible, saying "that often happens in war."
...
President Donald Trump's Full Truth Social Post
"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!"
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
What Happens Next
Trump said bombing will continue "uninterrupted throughout the week, or as long as necessary," with a stated goal of achieving peace across the Middle East. He offered immunity to the IRGC and security forces who lay down their weapons, warning those who do not would face "certain death."
Update 2/28/26, 5:52 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines