Trump calls Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dead after joint US-Israel strike

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead following what he described as a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel.

In a social media post on Sunday, Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil individuals in history” and claimed the Iranian leader had been unable to evade US intelligence and advanced surveillance systems. He said the operation was carried out in close cooperation with Israel.

Trump also said that other senior leaders were killed alongside Khamenei, though he did not provide further details or independent evidence.

He characterised the development as “a tremendous opportunity” for the Iranian people to reclaim their country, calling it justice not only for Iranians but also for Americans and others around the world whom he accused Khamenei and his associates of harming.

Addressing members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as Iran’s military and police forces, Trump said many no longer wished to fight and were seeking immunity from the United States. He repeated a warning that those who did not accept immunity now would face death later.

He added that “strong and precise bombing” would continue for as long as necessary to achieve what he described as the goal of securing peace across the Middle East and globally.

On 28 February, Israel and the United States launched a joint strike against Iran. The attack followed the collapse of another round of negotiations over a nuclear agreement with Tehran.