Trump announces Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead as he calls on citizens to rise up against Islamic regime
President Donald Trump announced that the United States killed Iran’s religious leader Ali Khamenei.
“Khamenei, one of the worst people in history, is dead,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
Khamenei, Iran’s chief Islamic cleric and ruler for more than 36 years since 1989, has been an enemy of the United States for decades throughout multiple presidential administrations.
His rule has seen the increasing Islamization of Iran and the growth of its proxies in Yemen, Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond. His strong religious views have long troubled the Middle East and pitted Iran against more western-embracing neighbors such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
The statement continued: “This is justice not only for the Iranian people, but also for all Great Americans and people in many countries of the world who were killed or maimed by Khamenei and his bloodthirsty gang of STUFF.”
The post continued: “He could not escape our Intelligence and Highly Advanced Surveillance Systems, and because he worked closely with Israel, there was nothing he or the other leaders killed with him could do.”
The President also used his announcement to call on Iranian citizens to stand against the Islamic regime, saying this was the ‘best chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country’.
The definitive statement on the religious leader’s death came after a day of speculation over the fate of the 86-year-old following devastating US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Now there are questions about who will be the successor of the long-time leader.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Khamenei, one of the worst people in history, is dead.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks at a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on February 17, 2026
Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died, according to the US president
There is no single figure in line who enjoys the support of different elements of Tehran’s clergy, military and political leaders. Additionally, some of the potential new leaders may have been killed in the attacks.
If he survives the bombardment, one candidate is Mojtaba Khamenei, 55, the Ayatollah’s second eldest son.
But while Mojtaba was a strong and strict figure in the background, he never held government office.
Another option is Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Commission, whom Khamenei has given increased powers to replace President Massoud Pezeshkian in recent weeks.
Trump said in an interview with NBC News that he would be involved in the process of choosing Iran’s next leader.
‘At some point they’re going to call me and ask me who I like,’ he said, adding that he was just ‘a little sarcastic’ when he said it.
It seems too early to have a solid indication of who might come out on top in the power struggle to lead Iran.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were reportedly shown a photo of Khamenei’s remains before the president made the official announcement on social media.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Residence, Tehran. Smoke can be seen rising above the building
According to reports, the leader’s remains were recovered from the rubble of his compound.
Satellite images show black smoke rising and heavy damage to the compound of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Trump’s post continued by saying that US attacks will continue ‘as long as necessary’.
‘However, heavy, precise bombardment will continue uninterrupted throughout the week or for as long as necessary to achieve our goal of PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND Indeed IN THE WORLD!’ Trump published it.
Before Trump’s statement announcing Khamenei’s death, reports that the religious leader had passed away were confirmed by Israeli officials.
Iran retaliated by hitting targets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel and Qatar.
