Trump Says Iranian Leader Killed In Initial Strikes

In a stunning development that sent shockwaves through the Middle East, President Donald J. Trump announced Saturday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed following a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting the heart of Iran’s ruling regime.

The announcement came amid rapidly escalating regional tensions after what administration officials described as a decisive and carefully executed strike against high-value leadership targets inside Iran.

Posting to Truth Social, President Trump declared:

Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS. He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do. This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.

We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, “Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!” Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated. The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!

Multiple outlets corroborated the development. Israel’s ambassador to the United States reportedly briefed American officials on Khamenei’s death. An Israeli official separately confirmed to Axios that the longtime Iranian strongman had been eliminated.

According to Reuters, citing another Israeli official, Khamenei’s body has been located. The Times of Israel further reported, referencing a video message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Khamenei “is no more.”

The removal of the Islamic Republic’s most powerful figure marks a historic turning point in the decades-long struggle between Iran’s theocratic regime and the West. For years, Khamenei oversaw Iran’s nuclear ambitions, proxy militias, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ global terror apparatus. President Trump framed the strike not merely as retribution, but as a rare opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their sovereignty from a regime long accused of brutality and repression.

Trump Floats “Friendly Takeover” of Cuba

In a separate but equally headline-grabbing development, President Trump revealed Friday that his administration is engaged in high-level discussions with Cuba — and suggested the possibility of what he termed a “friendly takeover” of the communist-controlled island.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for Texas, the president said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading talks with Cuban officials.

“The Cuban government is talking with us,” Trump said. “They have no money. They have nothing right now. But they’re talking to us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

He doubled down moments later.

“We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba,” the president said.

While the White House declined to clarify what “friendly takeover” would entail, Trump left no doubt about his view of Havana’s current condition.

“Cuba is, to put it mildly, a failed nation,” Trump said. “They want our help.”

His remarks followed an armed maritime incident earlier in the week, when Cuba’s government claimed a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 armed Cubans opened fire on soldiers off the island’s northern coast. Havana reported that four of the attackers were killed and six wounded in return fire, with one Cuban official also injured.

Cuban authorities acknowledged they are in communication with U.S. officials regarding the shooting. Rubio has stated that the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the matter.

Cuba has become an increasingly central focus of President Trump’s foreign policy messaging, particularly after U.S. forces removed Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro — a longtime ally and oil lifeline for Havana. Following that operation, Trump suggested direct military action against Cuba might be unnecessary, arguing that without Venezuelan oil, the island’s faltering socialist system could collapse under its own economic weight.

As global adversaries reassess their positions and longtime regimes face unprecedented pressure, the Trump administration appears determined to project strength abroad — reshaping the geopolitical landscape in the name of American security and what the president calls “peace through strength.”