WASHINGTON D.C. February 28, 2026 – President Donald J. Trump has confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, describing the 86-year-old cleric as “one of the most evil people in History” following a major joint U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Tehran.
In a statement posted on Truth Social and shared via the official White House account on X, President Trump 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.”
The full presidential statement continued:
“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 announcement follows reports of intense airstrikes on Iranian leadership compounds, including one directly targeting Khamenei’s residence in Tehran. Israeli officials and multiple international news outlets, including Al Jazeera, CBS News, The Associated Press, and The Washington Post, have confirmed Khamenei’s death, with some sources stating his body has been located. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier described “many signs” that the Supreme Leader was no longer alive.
Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989 after succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was a central figure in the Islamic Republic’s policies, which the U.S. and Israel have long accused of sponsoring terrorism, regional destabilization, and nuclear ambitions.
Reports from inside Iran indicate widespread celebrations in parts of Tehran, with youths taking to the streets, dancing, cheering, and setting off fireworks upon hearing the news. Similar scenes have been reported among Iranian diaspora communities worldwide.
Iranian state media has not officially confirmed Khamenei’s death, with some claims suggesting the leadership remains operational. However, U.S. and Israeli intelligence assessments describe the strikes as a decisive blow to the regime’s top echelon, including several senior IRGC commanders.
President Trump hailed the operation as opening “the single greatest chance” for regime change and a return to greatness for Iran.
This marks one of the most significant developments in Middle East geopolitics in decades. Life News Agency will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation, including any Iranian retaliation and international reactions.
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