Trump on Khamenei’s Death: ‘I Killed Him Before He Could Kill Me’
In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Trump boldly stated, “I killed him before he could kill me,” marking a definitive admission of the U.S. role in the assassination that has sent shockwaves across the globe. The President asserted that Iran had made at least two specific attempts on his life, justifying the operation as a necessary act of self-defense and national security.
The confirmation of the Supreme Leader's death came following a massive joint military operation by the U.S. and Israel, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which targeted high-ranking officials and strategic military sites in Tehran. On Sunday, March 1, 2026, Iranian state media agencies, including Tasnim and Fars, confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Reports also indicate that several members of his family, including his daughter and grandchild, perished in the aerial bombardment of his residence.
In response to the loss of their longtime leader, the Iranian government has declared a 40-day period of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday. While the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is reportedly pushing for a swift succession outside of traditional legal procedures, the country remains in a state of high alert. President Trump, meanwhile, has warned that the "heavy and pinpoint bombing" of Iran will continue until his administration's objectives are met, framing the moment as the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.
