WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – US President Donald Trump has claimed that 48 Iranian leaders were killed in the latest wave of American strikes on Iran.
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In remarks to foreign media, Trump defended the operation, arguing that it was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons within weeks. “I have no concerns. Everything is proceeding as planned. I act based on what I believe is right,” he said.
In a separate interview, Trump stated that he knew who had taken command in Iran after the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He also asserted that Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases were less severe than anticipated and indicated that prospects for a diplomatic resolution had improved.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that the campaign, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” was initiated under Trump’s direction, describing it as one of the most complex and lethal operations ever conducted.
Hegseth further stated that Iran had been given an opportunity to reach an agreement but declined, adding that the United States would not allow missiles to threaten its citizens.
The casualty figures cited by the US president have not been independently verified.
