Trump Claims Personal Victory in Death of "Evil" Iranian Leader

WASHINGTON (Mar 2, 2026) — Following the strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Donald Trump characterized the mission as a successful counter-move against personal assassination plots from 2024.

• "I Got Him First": Speaking to ABC News, Trump framed the event as a direct rivalry, claiming Khamenei had tried to have him killed twice during the last election cycle.
• Justice for Victims: On Truth Social, Trump called the leader "one of the most evil people in history" and stated the strike provided justice for Americans harmed by the regime.
• Call to Action: Trump urged Iranian citizens to take advantage of the power vacuum to "take back their country" and dismantle the current government.

The White House continues to maintain that the operation was a defensive necessity aimed at neutralizing immediate threats to U.S. personnel.