Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday, Iranian state media has confirmed.
Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday; Iran denied reports earlier in the day
AFP via Getty Images
Timeline
- 21:20: A statement on Iran’s state-run media outlet read: ‘Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred following an attack by the Zionist regime and the United States on Saturday morning.The Cabinet has declared 40 days of public mourning and 7 days of holidays following the martyrdom of the Leader of the Revolution.’
- The confirmation of Khamenei’s death comes after Iranian officials denied initial reports from Israel that the supreme leader was dead.
- 16:37: In a message on Truth Social, Trump announced Khamenei “is dead” and referred to the supreme leader as “one of the most evil people in history,” calling his death “justice for the people of Iran.” He said bombing in Iran will continue “as long as necessary” in order to “achieve peace in the Middle East.”
- 16:15 EST: Trump, responding to reports Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, told NBC: “We believe this to be a correct story.”
- 15:36:Trump told NBC News “a large amount” of Iranian leaders were killed through three attacks Saturday, calling the mission “a success.”
- 14:44: Khamenei was killed during Saturday morning’s air strikes in Iran, Israel’s ambassador to Washington told Axios; a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign minister maintained to ABC that Iran’s leader was still alive.
- 14:00 Netanyahu said in a broadcast that “all indications” show Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is “no longer with us,” adding the strikes will help the Iranian people “unshackle themselves from tyranny” and urging them to “unite for a historic mission.”
- 13:45 Israel’s portion of the attack was considered its “largest military flyover” in the history of Israel Defense Forces, as 200 jets hit more than 500 targets across Iran.
- 13:08: U.S. Central Command said there had been no reports of American deaths or injuries, adding that the U.S. and Israel have targeted “Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.”
- 12:58: The Trump administration’s actions confused Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who said on X, “I do not know why the U.S. administration insists on beginning a negotiation with Iran and then attacking Iran in middle of talks.”
- 12:43: More than 200 people have been killed in Iran, according to Iranian Red Crescent spokesperson Mojtaba Khaledi, who told the BBC 24 of the country’s 31 provinces have been hit, resulting in 747 injuries.
- 12:35: Citing officials, the Associated Press reported some 85 people were now dead following the strike on an elementary school.
- 12:25: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on X she is in contact with federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as they monitor potential threats toward the U.S.
- 10:35: “Several senior figures” from the Iran regime were killed in the initial strikes, an Israeli military official told the BBC.
- 9:53: A drone strike targeted the Kuwait International Airport resulted in minor injuries to several workers, according to the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, which said the situation “is under complete control.”
- 9:45: Interviewed on NBC News, Araghchi said Iran was interested in de-escalation talks but said a regime change was “mission impossible.”
- 8:07: Araghchi said “dozens of innocent children” were killed when an Israeli strike hit an elementary school in southern Iran earlier in the morning, with Araghchi saying the “crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered.”
- 4:54: Iranian state television said Iran countered the Israeli and United States strikes by attacking four U.S. bases in the Middle East, according to NBC News; additional attacks were later carried out as missiles were fired in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.
- 2:30: Trump took credit for the strikes, saying in a video posted on Truth Social the United States’ objective “is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” which the president described as “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people” whose “menacing activities directly endanger the United States” and its allies.
- Feb. 28, 1:45 a.m. EST:Explosions were reported in multiple locations in Tehran and several other Iranian cities, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.
Key Background
The strikes come after months of escalating confrontation between Iran and Israel as U.S. officials warned Tehran’s nuclear program had advanced past diplomatic limits. Israel and Iran exchanged strikes last June, attacks that culminated in the U.S. striking Iranian nuclear sites before brokering a months-long ceasefire alongside Qatar. Tensions reignited in late 2025 when the Iranian economy collapsed and nationwide protests were met with a violent state crackdown. Hostility between the U.S. and Iran, who have been geopolitical rivals for decades, has intensified in recent years amid disputes over Iran’s nuclear program.
Republican Officials Respond To Strikes
Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a frequent critic of Trump, said he is opposed to the war: “This is not ‘America First,’” referencing Trump’s often-used rhetoric. Other Republicans sided with Trump, including Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who wrote on X he is “confident this operation will be successful and the liberation of the long suffering people of Iran is at hand.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., commended Trump for taking action against Iran, writing on X that Iran’s “relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region” posed threats to the U.S. Former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Iran “deserves no sympathy,” saying in a post on X it’s regime “relishes on killing Arabs, Israelis (and) Americans.” Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., the head of the House Intelligence Committee, said the safety of Americans is at stake because of Iran’s nuclear weapons: “President Trump has given Iran plenty of opportunities to take the diplomatic route.”
What Have Democratic Leaders Said?
Some of the most high-profile Democratic officials in the U.S. have denounced the attacks on Iran, including Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a retired U.S. Navy Captain who believes Trump began the strikes without a plan: “When I launched on my first combat mission during Operation Desert Storm 35 years ago, I understood the mission and the end goal. So did Congress. So did the American people.
That’s the minimum level of leadership this country deserves. And Donald Trump has failed again at that.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said dragging the U.S. into a war could be catastrophic, writing, “Violence begets violence. We learned this lesson in Iraq. We learned this lesson in Afghanistan. And we are about to learn it again in Iran. Bombs have yet to create enduring democracies in the region and this will be no different.” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Trump administration needs to brief Congress on the military actions, writing on X, “Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home.”
John Fetterman, D-Pa., a moderate Democrat who has often sided with Trump, said the president “has been willing to do what’s right and necessary to produce real peace in the region.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom agrees with Trump that Iran needs a regime change but said the president’s actions will risk lives “without justification to the American people.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, another frequent critic of Trump, also blasted the president’s actions: “No justification, no authorization from Congress, and no clear objective. But none of that matters to Donald Trump — and apparently neither do the safety and lives of American service members.”
Opec+ May Increase Oil Supply
OPEC+, a powerful alliance of countries that produce oil, will meet Sunday and may consider increasing oil output to 411,000 barrels per day amid fears of supply disruption, according to Reuters. It had originally planned an increase of 137,000 daily barrels.
Flights Canceled Throughout Middle East
At least eight Middle Eastern states closed their airspace Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. Qatar Airways said early Saturday it was temporarily suspending all of its flights, and Emirates said its flights to and from Dubai were canceled. As of 10 a.m. EST, there were nearly 350 flights canceled out of Dubai and almost 150 total from Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
How Have US Allies And Rivals Responded?
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it has planes “in the sky today” in the Middle East to protect its country and allies, saying in an address, “It is vital we prevent further escalation and return to a diplomatic process,” according to the BBC. Canada is not participating in the strikes, but Prime Minister Mark Carney said he supports the U.S. efforts. “Canada’s position remains clear: The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East, has one of the world’s worst human rights records and must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons,” Carney said. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, said the strikes were “greatly concerning,” and announced a meeting of security officials Monday. Russia called the attack “pre-planned” and “unprovoked,” adding it was “in violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law,” according to a statement to its state-run TASS news agency.
What Did Trump Say In His Speech Saturday?
In his early-morning speech Saturday, Trump said the U.S. and Iran have been at odds for nearly a half-century, calling the country the “world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.” Trump, who said last summer Iran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated,” said Iran continued to develop long-range missiles: “We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It’s a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon.” He called upon the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny.” “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump told the Iranian people.
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