Trump: I Killed Khamenei Before He Could Get to Me

SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump said in a phone interview tonight with ABC News commenting on the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: "I got to him before he got to me. They tried twice. But I got to him first."

He seemed to refer to a number of attempts that reports indicated were carried out by Iranian intelligence to target him, the last of which occurred during his 2024 election campaign.

When asked who he now sees as a candidate to lead Iran after Khamenei's death, Trump stated that everyone he had been considering has already been killed, adding that the attack was successful enough to eliminate most of the candidates.

He explained: "None of the people we were thinking about will be there because they all died. The second or third place candidate is dead as well."

Earlier, Trump stated that military operations against Iran "will continue until all objectives are achieved."

Trump clarified that: "We struck hundreds of targets including facilities belonging to the Revolutionary Guard, air defense systems, 9 ships, in addition to a naval base."

He continued: "I urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian army, and the police to lay down their arms in order to obtain immunity or face certain death."

Trump confirmed the killing of 3 U.S. soldiers in operations against Iran, adding, "It is likely that there will be more casualties among Americans."

He called on the Iranians to "seize this moment and take back their country," adding while speaking to them, "the United States stands with you."

Trump revealed a potential timeline for war with Iran, indicating that fighting may continue over the next four weeks.