American and Israeli forces executed the largest joint military operation in both nations’ history on Saturday, presumably killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and decimating Tehran’s senior leadership in a devastating coordinated assault.
The operation saw approximately 200 Israeli fighter jets strike roughly 500 targets while U.S. forces deployed Tomahawk missiles and attack aircraft from two carrier strike groups. CENTCOM described the assault as “an overwhelming and unrelenting blow.”
Israeli officials told Axios they aimed to eliminate the “entire Iranian leadership.” Khamenei’s compound in central Tehran was obliterated, with satellite imagery showing the palace reduced to rubble. By early afternoon, multiple Israeli sources and a senior American intelligence official confirmed to CBS News that Khamenei’s remains had been found.
President Trump confirmed the death in a social media post, calling Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history” and declaring that “the people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone.” Videos posted online showed parts of Tehran erupting in celebration.
Iran launched an extensive retaliatory campaign, firing over 35 missiles at Israel and targeting 14 American bases across the region. Strikes hit facilities in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Iran’s Red Crescent reported that airstrikes had hit 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces, killing 201 people and injuring 747. Iranian state media claimed at least 85 people died when strikes hit a girls’ elementary school in Minab.
The assault came just hours after nuclear negotiations appeared promising. Omani Foreign Minister Albusaidi told CBS News on Friday evening that a deal was “within our reach.” Iran’s Foreign Minister expressed bewilderment at the timing.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) expects “weeks, not days” of continued operations. Trump suggested he could “go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days” while calling for regime change.
President Trump should resist the temptation to expand this conflict, getting it over with as quickly as possible and return total focus upon securing the border, reviving American manufacturing, and addressing the pressing concerns of working families.
