Washington, March 1 (NationPress) - US President Donald Trump announced the demise of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stating that US airstrikes will persist "throughout the week or as long as needed."

"Khamenei, regarded as one of the most malevolent figures in history, is no longer alive," Trump asserted in his statement. He labeled this event as "Justice for the people of Iran" and for "all Great Americans, along with many individuals from various countries worldwide, who have suffered or been harmed by Khamenei and his group of ruthless THUGS."

Trump remarked that Khamenei "could not evade our Intelligence and Advanced Tracking Systems, and in close collaboration with Israel, there was nothing he or the other leaders, who were also eliminated, could do."

He described this occurrence as "the greatest opportunity for the Iranian populace to reclaim their nation."

"Reports indicate that numerous members of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces are no longer willing to engage in combat and are seeking Immunity from us," Trump continued. Reinforcing a prior warning, he stated: "Now they can obtain Immunity; later, they face Death!"

The President expressed hope that "the IRGC and Police will peacefully unite with the Iranian Patriots to collaboratively restore the nation's greatness."

He asserted that "not only has Khamenei's death occurred, but the Country has been significantly devastated, even obliterated, in just one day."

"Intensive and targeted bombing will persist, uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary to accomplish our goal of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!" he declared.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared on X that "President Trump monitored the situation overnight at Mar-a-Lago with his national security team."

"The President had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu," she mentioned. Leavitt also noted that "before the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to all members of the gang of eight for congressional notification, successfully briefing seven of the eight members."

"The President and his national security team will remain vigilant in monitoring the situation throughout the day," she added.

In a background briefing with reporters, senior administration officials indicated that the President viewed diplomacy as an impractical solution. They referenced intelligence analyses that deemed Iran's missile and enrichment capabilities as unacceptable threats.

This announcement signifies a substantial escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, which have been embroiled in conflict for decades over Iran's nuclear agenda, regional proxies, and ballistic missile advancements.