Trump vows continued bombing after Khamenei killed in Israeli strike
In a social media post, Trump wrote: "Bombing to continue throughout the week — 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!"
US President Donald Trump said the United States will continue military operations against Iran following the confirmed death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an Israeli strike, describing the moment as a potential turning point in the conflict.
In a social media post, Trump wrote: "Bombing to continue throughout the week — 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!"
Leadership vacuum in Tehran
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In addition to Khamenei, reports indicate that several other senior officials have been killed, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the defense minister and the intelligence chief. The deaths have left Iran's leadership structure in disarray and raised the prospect of a succession crisis, says Fortune.
Trump described Khamenei's death as "the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country."
Analysts say that while the loss of multiple senior figures could complicate decision-making in Tehran, Iran's political system has formal mechanisms to appoint a successor. At the same time, experts caution that hard-liners or elements of the IRGC could retain control despite the leadership losses.
US military objectives
Trump has called for regime change in Iran and said Washington aims to permanently cripple the country's nuclear, military and ballistic-missile capabilities.
In an interview with Axios, Trump outlined potential paths forward: "I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: 'See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs]'".
He added in the same interview, "In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack."
Iranian response
Despite the loss of senior leaders, Iran responded with what the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) described as rapid retaliation. "Iran has responded to the US and Israeli strikes with unprecedented speed," the ISW said, referring to the launch of 35 missiles at Israel and targets across the Persian Gulf.
Iran targeted Israel as well as US bases in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. The extent of damage and casualties was not immediately clear.
Iran had previously flattened its chain of command, a move officials said was designed to enable quicker decision-making in the event of targeted strikes.
Trump has suggested several possible "off ramps" to the conflict, ranging from a prolonged military campaign to ending strikes within days if Iran does not attempt to rebuild its strategic programs.
It remains unclear how Tehran will navigate the succession process or whether further escalation can be avoided as both sides continue military operations.
