The U.S. and Israeli officials believe that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday as part of the joint U.S., Israel military operation against Iran, multiple news outlets reported.
President Trump, when asked during an interview with NBC News if Khamenei is dead, said that “we feel that is a correct story.”
Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes targeted Khamenei’s compound and he indicated that the Ayatollah was dead.
“There are growing signs that the tyrant is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said in an address to the nation.
The death of Khamenei, who led Iran for over three decades, would mark a massive blow to the regime, one that President Trump said he sought to change with the massive military attack conducted by both U.S. and Israeli forces early on Saturday.
“The Hill” has reached out to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the IDF for comment.
It is unclear who would succeed Khamenei.
Khamenei ascended to the post in 1989 and as the supreme leader, he oversaw the nation’s security forces and judiciary.
The supreme leader utilized the power to crush dissidents as tens of thousands of Iranians were killed during the recent anti-regime protests across the country, tactics that the leader has deployed for decades.
Trump, in a video posted shortly after the joint bombing campaign against Iran, called on the Iranian people to topple the regime that has controlled the nation since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take; this will be probably your only chance for generations,” the prescient said in an 8-minute video. “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny.”
Credit: https://thehill.com/policy/international/5760795-us-israel-strike-iran-khamenei/
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