US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamen is dead following joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian targets.
What did Donald Trump claim?
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "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," he added.
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Trump further wrote, "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."
He concluded, "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!"
"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
US confirms Khamenei's death
A US official cited by Fox News said American assessments suggest Khamenei and five to ten senior Iranian leaders may have been killed in an Israeli strike on a leadership compound. The compound was believed to house key political and military figures.
There has been no independent confirmation from Tehran. Iranian authorities have not acknowledged any casualties among top leaders.
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Iran dismisses claims
Iran's state media said the head of public relations at the Supreme Leader's office rejected the reports. The official described the claims as "mental warfare" and accused adversaries of spreading misinformation to weaken public morale.
Earlier, Iranian officials had said Khamenei was moved to a secure location. Conflicting reports continue as the US-Israel military campaign against Iranian targets intensifies.
