Trump: Diplomacy with Iran “much easier” after Khamenei killed

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the recent U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could create a pathway to diplomacy, calling the strikes “a great day for this country, a great day for the world.”

Speaking to CBS News on February 28, Trump said the prospects for a diplomatic solution to the crisis are now “much easier than it was a day ago” because Iran is “getting beat up badly.”

Khamenei, who had led Iran for nearly 37 years, was killed in the strikes, according to the Iranian state media. CBS News sources reported that approximately 40 Iranian officials were also killed during the operation.

Trump indicated that there are “some good candidates” to succeed Khamenei but did not provide further details.

The former president said he is closely monitoring Iran’s response. On the morning of February 28, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Israel and carried out other operations targeting U.S. allies in the region. Trump described the retaliatory strikes as “what we expected,” noting that the impact has been “less than we thought” and had not reached the level anticipated by the U.S. and its allies.

According to U.S. Central Command, there have been no reported American casualties during the operation. In Israel, one person was killed in the retaliatory attacks, and dozens were injured.