{"id":2574783,"date":"2026-02-28T15:50:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T15:52:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:52:42","slug":"netanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah\/","title":{"rendered":"Netanyahu touts &#8216;growing signs&#8217; Iran strikes killed the Ayatollah"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnetanyahu-touts-growing-signs-iran-strikes-killed-the-ayatollah%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2574783&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the article reports on conflicting claims following overnight U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran regarding the status of Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump said in an NBC News interview that reports of Khamenei\u2019s death are \u201cthe correct story,\u201d a claim echoed by Israeli officials and outlets like Axios and the New York Post. Trump also asserted that most of iran\u2019s senior leadership is gone. Iran\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/off-to-a-bad-start-putin-schools-biden-with-one-phone-call\/\" title=\"Off to a Bad START: Putin Schools Biden with One Phone Call\">foreign minister<\/a>, Abbas Araghchi, denied the reports, saying Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive. The piece also notes Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging the Iranian people to overthrow the regime, framing the moment as a perhaps decisive prospect for Iranians to challenge the government.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Khamenei believed to be dead after Iran strikes: Trump says &lsquo;we feel that that is a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >correct story&#038;rsquo<\/a>;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> said Saturday afternoon that reports saying Iranian Ayatollah <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ali-khamenei\">Ali Khamenei<\/a> is dead are the &ldquo;correct story.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"... taking Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex-WH doctor explains\">president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s statement comes after Israeli officials said Khamenei was dead. Israel&rsquo;s ambassador to Washington told U.S. officials Khamenei is dead, hours after a joint U.S.-Israel strike targeted the Iranian government, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2026\/02\/28\/iran-khamenei-killed-israel\">according to<\/a><em>  Axios<\/em> and other outlets. A photo of his body was shown to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli official <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/28\/world-news\/us-israel-attack-iran-live-updates-after-airstrikes-launched\/\">told <\/a>the <em>New York Post<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475762\/secret-service-enhance-dc-security-iran-strike\/\">Secret Service enhances DC security posture after Iran strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4475662\/trump-finds-unlikely-democratic-allies-on-decision-to-strike-iran\/\">Trump finds unlikely Democratic allies on decision to strike Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475816\/watch-live-netanyahu-speaks-after-iran-attacks\/\">WATCH LIVE: Netanyahu speaks after Iran attacks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We feel that that is a correct story,&rdquo; Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/world\/iran\/live-blog\/israel-iran-live-updates-rcna261099\">said during <\/a>an NBC News interview when asked to address reports that Khamenei was killed in the overnight U.S.-<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israeli<\/a> airstrikes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Most&rdquo; of Iran&rsquo;s senior leadership is &ldquo;gone,&rdquo; the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-plans-to-unveil-advisory-warning-for-americans-doing-business-with-deteriorating-hong-kong\/\" title=\"Biden Plans To Unveil \u2018Advisory\u2019 Warning For Americans Doing Business With \u2018Deteriorating\u2019 Hong Kong\">president confirmed<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The development marks a critical moment for Iran, as Netanyahu and Trump have urged those who have participated in mass uprisings against the Ayatollah&rsquo;s government to take over the country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>During a speech on Saturday, Netanyahu suggested there are &ldquo;growing signs&rdquo; the overnight U.S.-Israel strikes against Iran killed the country&rsquo;s supreme ruler.<\/p>\n<p>Iran&rsquo;s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed Saturday morning that &ldquo;as far as I know,&rdquo; both Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive, during an interview with NBC News.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475732\/the-us-and-israel-attacked-iran-what-we-know\/\"><strong>THE US AND ISRAEL ATTACKED IRAN: WHAT WE KNOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In his press conference, Netanyahu urged the Iranian people to overthrow Khamenei&rsquo;s theocratic government, similar to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s calls. <\/p>\n<p>The strikes offer protestors an opportunity to &ldquo;unshackle themselves from tyranny,&rdquo; the Israeli leader said, calling the moment a &ldquo;once in a generation chance&rdquo; to overthrow the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Khamenei believed dead after Iran strikes, Trump says<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2574784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26032482244222.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6091,3823,73799,6524,7283],"class_list":["post-2574783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ayatollah","tag-iran","tag-middle-east-2","tag-netanyahu","tag-strikes"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26032482244222.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2574783"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2574787,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2574783\/revisions\/2574787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2574784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2574783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2574783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2574783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}