The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has claimed that no fewer than 48 Iranian leaders were killed in ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operations, describing the offensive as a sweeping and unprecedented success.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said the coordinated bombardments had dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s leadership structure.
“Nobody can believe the success we’re having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it’s moving along rapidly,” he stated.
The joint operation, launched Saturday, is aimed at dismantling the Islamic Republic’s command hierarchy and crippling its military infrastructure.
Iran has since confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict and raising fears of wider regional instability.
In a separate interview with CNBC, Trump reiterated his confidence in the mission’s trajectory.
“We’re doing our job not just for us but for the world. And everything is ahead of schedule,” he said. “Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way.”
However, the interviews were conducted before the U.S. military confirmed its first casualties in the unfolding war. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed that three American service members were killed, five seriously wounded, and several others sustained minor injuries during the operations.
CENTCOM further revealed that U.S. forces had sunk an Iranian warship at dock in the Gulf of Oman as part of efforts to weaken Tehran’s naval capabilities.
The intensifying conflict has triggered retaliatory threats and heightened security concerns across the Middle East, with global leaders calling for restraint amid fears of a broader regional war.
