Trump made the statement about an hour after several news outlets reported that U.S. and Israeli officials believed Khamenei had been killed in an Israeli strike carried out as part of the coordinated campaign. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.”
“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…” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/oXZTFGg5pS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026
He described the reported death as retribution for victims in the United States and abroad. “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,” Trump stated.
Trump said Khamenei had been unable to evade U.S. and Israeli intelligence efforts. “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,” he said.
While he stopped short of declaring that regime change would automatically follow, Trump said the decision ultimately rests with the Iranian people. He added, “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.”
Referring to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, he urged security forces to align with opponents of the government. “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,” Trump wrote.
He also described widespread destruction resulting from the strikes. “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,” he wrote.
Trump said the military campaign would continue beyond Saturday’s operation. “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!,” Trump wrote.
Earlier in the day, during an interview with NBC News, Trump was asked whether Khamenei was dead. He responded that “we feel that is a correct story.”
Khamenei, who became Iran’s supreme leader in 1989, has overseen the country’s security forces and judiciary for more than three decades. His leadership included the use of state power to suppress dissent, with tens of thousands of Iranians killed during recent anti-regime protests, tactics he had employed for years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Saturday that the strikes targeted Khamenei’s compound. “There are growing signs that the tyrant is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said in an address to the nation.
In a separate video posted after the joint bombing campaign began, Trump called on Iranians to remove their government. “Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take; this will be probably your only chance for generations,” the president said in the eight-minute video. “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny.”
Source: The Hill.
