President Donald Trump declared that Iran’s ambitions in the Middle East have been effectively neutralized, following a series of U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian military and political leadership. In his post, Trump wrote: “Iran had plans of taking over the entire Middle East, and completely obliterating Israel. JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 13, 2026
The statement follows the targeted elimination of key figures in Iran’s government and military, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country since 1989. Khamenei was killed in strikes on his residence in Tehran, along with numerous senior officials, leaving an interim leadership council in charge of the country. Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in History” and called his death “Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World” who had suffered under his rule.
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.…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) February 28, 2026
Other senior Iranian officials killed include Ali Shamkani, former head of the National Defense Council and a longtime adviser to Khamenei; Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC ground forces; Aziz Nasirzadeh, former defense minister and air force leader; and Sayyid Mousavi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces.
Trump emphasized that the success of the operations was aided by U.S. intelligence and close coordination with Israel. He noted that the precision strikes left Iranian military and security infrastructure largely unable to resist, writing that Khamenei and other leaders “were unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.” He added that the heavy bombing campaign would continue until the administration’s objective of “PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD” is achieved.
The administration has framed these actions as a direct counter to Iran’s regional expansion plans and its threats to Israel. Trump indicated that many members of Iran’s IRGC, military, and security forces were seeking immunity, signaling potential cracks within the Iranian defense structure. He suggested that these elements could merge with Iranian patriots to restore stability and order within the country.
The elimination of Iran’s top leadership and the ongoing strikes mark a turning point in the conflict, effectively dismantling the strategic and operational capabilities that enabled Iran to pursue aggressive regional policies. With the country’s leadership largely incapacitated, U.S. officials say the focus now is on enforcing long-term security objectives in the Middle East and preventing further threats to Israel and neighboring nations.