President Donald Trump announced that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has died.
"One of the most evil men in history, Khamenei, is dead," Trump wrote on Truth Social on the 28th (local time). "This is not only justice for the Iranian people, but also justice for the great Americans killed by Khamenei and others."
Trump called this "the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to take back their country." He added that "we are hearing that many in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military, and other security forces no longer want to fight and are seeking amnesty from us."
"We hope the IRGC and police will peacefully join Iranian patriots and restore their nation to greatness," Trump said. "That process will begin soon."
The president emphasized that "Iran has been significantly destroyed in just one day, in addition to Khamenei's death." He added that "significant and precise bombing will continue uninterrupted throughout the week and for as long as necessary to achieve the goal of peace throughout the Middle East and the world."
Fox News reported, citing U.S. government officials, that American forces conducted approximately 900 airstrikes in the first 12 hours after launching "Operation Grand Fury." The report stated that "the goal of this operation is to ensure Iran no longer has the capability to attack neighboring countries—its drones, missiles, and navy." Officials indicated the operation could last several weeks, though Trump may conclude it sooner.
According to The Times of Israel, a senior U.S. official said at a press briefing that the U.S. had offered Iran "permanent free nuclear fuel," but Tehran refused. "We therefore concluded that Iran was trying to buy time rather than negotiate in good faith," the official said.