US Iran Strikes Escalate as Trump Claims Leaders Killed

Key Points

• Trump says multiple Iranian leaders killed, Pentagon reports no US casualties

• Netanyahu urges Iranians to overthrow regime amid unverified Khamenei reports

• Iran media insists Supreme Leader remains in command despite heavy strikes

DUBAI: The fast-moving US-Israel military campaign against Iran entered a volatile new phase Saturday as President Donald Trump claimed senior Iranian leaders were killed, while Tehran pushed back and insisted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains in command.

The sharply conflicting narratives underscored the fog of war now gripping the region, with Gulf governments on high alert and global markets watching closely.

Trump claims leadership losses

Speaking to ABC News, President Trump said the joint strikes had “incapacitated” Iran’s leadership structure and suggested Washington already has a clear picture of who could take power in Tehran.

“A lot of it is,” Trump said when asked whether Iranian leaders were believed to be dead.

The White House has not publicly released evidence supporting the claim, and Iranian authorities have not confirmed any senior leadership deaths.

Netanyahu raises pressure

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further escalated rhetoric, urging Iranians to “overthrow the regime” in a televised address following the strikes.

“This is your time to unite for a historic mission,” Netanyahu said, framing the operation as an opportunity for political change inside Iran.

He also claimed there were “signs” that Khamenei may have been killed in the attack on his Tehran compound, though he provided no proof and Israeli officials have not independently verified the assertion.

Iran rejects leadership rumors

Iranian state-linked agencies Tasnim and Mehr quickly moved to counter the speculation, reporting that Khamenei is “steadfast and firm in commanding the field.”

There has been no official Iranian confirmation of any leadership casualties, and the situation remains unclear amid heavy information warfare on both sides.

Civilian toll reported in south

Separately, Iran’s judiciary said the death toll from a strike that hit a girls’ school in the southern city of Minab has risen to 85.

AFP reported it was unable to independently verify the casualty figures or the circumstances surrounding the incident, and US and Israeli officials have not publicly commented on the claim.

Pentagon reports minimal damage

Despite Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone barrage across the region, the Pentagon said US forces largely blunted the attacks.

US Central Command reported that American defenses intercepted hundreds of incoming threats, adding that there were no US casualties and only minimal damage to installations.

“Damage to US installations was minimal and has not impacted operations,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Region remains on edge

The latest developments come as Gulf states continue emergency aviation restrictions and heightened security monitoring following earlier explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE.

With military operations expected to continue for days, analysts warn the situation remains highly fluid, with the risk of further escalation still significant.