JUST IN: Trump Issues Statement On Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei’s Death

President Donald Trump has issued a statement responding to confirmed reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting his compound in central Tehran on Saturday morning.

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,” the president announced in a Truth Social post.

“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,” the statement continued.

Trump went on to reiterate calls for the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow the regime. He had previously called for regime change and stated that the strikes were necessary to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions in a statement released shortly after the first round of strikes on Saturday morning.

“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,” the president’s statement continued.

“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!”

🚨Statement from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/0OrCjGVupx

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 28, 2026

Khamenei’s death was confirmed at 3:35 p.m. Eastern Time after initial reports from Israeli outlet Channel 12. Khamenei — who had served as the nation’s absolute ruler since 1989 — was reportedly in the compounds bunker complex at the time of the strikes, but was not in the lower levels designed to withstand deep impact strikes.

Satellite imagery of the compound showed that most buildings in the compound were entirely leveled. The supreme leaders war secretary was also confirmed killed in the strike, as well as unnamed members of his family.

Senior Israeli officials are also reporting that upwards of 40 senior Iranian military commanders were killed in strikes across broader Iran. Among those confirmed dead are Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander General Mohammad Pakpour and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.

Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran, also issued a statement celebrating Khamenei’s death. “Ali Khamenei, the bloodthirsty Zahhak of our time, the killer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters, has been erased from the pages of history. With his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively come to an end and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history,” he wrote.

He went on to call on Iranian military and police units to overthrow the regime. “This is your last chance to join the people; to help ensure Iran’s stable transition to a free and prosperous future; and to have a share in building that future,” the statement continued.

“This marks the beginning of our great national celebration; but it is not the end of the road. Stay vigilant and prepared. The time for a massive and decisive presence in the streets is very near. Together, united and steadfast, we will secure the final victory, and we will celebrate Iran’s freedom across our Ahura-created homeland.”