President Trump launched a decisive joint military strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and top officials, reportedly influenced by private pressure from Saudi Arabia and Israel to permanently eliminate Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
United States President Donald Trump reportedly authorized Saturday’s massive military operation against Iran, codenamed “Operation Epic Fury,” following intense private lobbying from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Israeli government, according to the Washington Post. The joint U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 40 senior officials, a development confirmed by Iranian state media early Sunday.
While the Crown Prince had publicly supported diplomatic solutions, the report suggests he made multiple private calls to Trump advocating for direct action to dismantle Tehran’s leadership and nuclear capabilities. In a live broadcast during the strikes, Trump declared that “Iran will never be allowed to have nuclear arms” and urged Iranian citizens to “take over their government,” prompting a retaliatory missile barrage from Iran targeting U.S. bases across the Gulf.