Hours after the initial strikes, President Donald Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed in the assault, describing his death as both retribution and a turning point in the conflict.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said in a statement released Saturday, Feb. 28. He called the killing “Justice for the people of Iran” as well as for Americans and others worldwide whom he accused the Iranian leader of targeting through decades of violence.
Trump said Khamenei was located through U.S. intelligence and “Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems” and that the operation was conducted in close coordination with Israel. He claimed other Iranian leaders were also killed but did not immediately provide further details or independent confirmation.
The president framed the development as a historic opportunity for regime change, asserting that some members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and security forces were seeking immunity.
“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” Trump said, repeating his warning that Iranian forces could “have Immunity” if they stand down but would otherwise face “Death.”
Trump added that U.S. bombing would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary,” describing the objective as achieving “peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world.”
Read Christian Daily International's earlier reporting here: US, Israel launch major assault on Iran as Trump vows to ‘devastate’ military and urges regime change
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calls for transition: 'Moments of destiny lie ahead of us'
In a separate statement Saturday, Reza Pahlavi — an Iranian dissident living in exile in the United States and the eldest son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi — described the joint U.S.-Israeli military operation as a “humanitarian intervention” aimed at dismantling the Islamic Republic rather than harming the Iranian nation.
Addressing “my dear compatriots,” Pahlavi said the external military action marked a decisive moment but insisted that “the final victory will still be forged by our hands,” urging Iranians to prepare for renewed protests once conditions allow.
He called on members of Iran’s military, police and security services to abandon the ruling authorities and side with the population. Their oath, he said, was to protect Iran and its people, “not the Islamic Republic and its leaders.” He warned that those who remained loyal to the current leadership risked “going down with Khamenei’s sinking ship.”
At the same time, Pahlavi appealed to President Donald Trump to exercise caution to protect civilians, describing the Iranian people as “natural allies” of the United States and the wider free world.
While encouraging eventual mobilization, he advised citizens to remain indoors for the time being for their safety and said he would provide further instructions through social media, satellite broadcasts or radio if communications are disrupted. He concluded by expressing hope of returning to Iran to help oversee what he described as a transition and rebuilding process.
