A military event featuring a speaker addressing troops, with a former president visible in the background, emphasizing patriotism and support for armed forces.

JUST IN: War Secretary Pete Hegseth Releases Statement on Operation Epic Fury: “If You Kill or Threaten Americans Then We Will Hunt You Down, and We Will Kill You”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a statement on Saturday evening following Operation Epic Fury in Iran, which he described as “the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history.”  “The Iranian regime had their chance, yet refused to make a deal — and now they are suffering the consequences,” Hegseth said.

Former President speaking at a podium with the presidential seal, flanked by U.S. flags, wearing a cap that says "USA."

NEW: “Khamenei, One of the Most Evil People in History, Is Dead” – Trump Confirms Iranian Supreme Leader was Killed, Brags About Operation and Says Bombing Will Continue “Uninterrupted Throughout the Week”

President Trump confirmed that the joint US-Israel operation in Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in his first statement since he announced the attack early on Saturday morning.  As The Gateway Pundit reported earlier, Trump spoke briefly by phone with Axios and threatened to “go long and take over the whole thing.” He said his other option is to “end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: ‘See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs].” https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/just-trump-threatens-take-whole-thing-after-iran/ Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst reported earlier on the death of Khamenei, adding that “Israelis say they are still striking targets inside Iran.” WATCH: Shortly after 4:30 pm ET on Saturday, Trump posted confirmation that the Ayatollah is dead, crediting the United States’s “Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems” and noting that “there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.” Dozens of top Iranian officials were also killed.

Former President Donald Trump walks across the tarmac near helicopters, wearing a red cap and blue suit, amid a cloudy sky.

JUST IN: Trump Threatens to “Take Over the Whole Thing” After Iran Strikes Kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

President Trump broke his silence following the Iran strikes on Saturday morning, telling Axios of potential “off-ramps” in the conflict.  “I can go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians: ‘See you again in a few years if you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs],” Trump told Axios in a phone interview from Mar-a-Lago.

Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer address the media outside the White House, discussing key political issues and legislative priorities.

Top Democrats Condemn Operation Epic Fury as Massie and Khanna Plan to Bring War Powers Resolution (VIDEO)

House and Senate Democratic leaders are now demanding that Congress return to Washington, DC, by Monday to pass a war powers resolution in an attempt to stop the US from taking additional actions in Iran.  As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump announced early on Saturday morning that American forces are engaged in what he described as a “massive and ongoing operation” aimed at neutralizing the Iranian regime’s ability to threaten US troops, American allies, and the homeland itself.

Smoke billows from a building in a city skyline, with a body of water and boats in the foreground, indicating a possible explosion or fire incident.

Saudi Arabia SLAMS “Brutal Iranian Aggression” Against Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, and Kuwait — Gulf States Vow FULL RIGHT to Retaliate After Tehran’s Attack

A major geopolitical flashpoint erupted across the Middle East on Saturday after Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting multiple Gulf nations, prompting Saudi Arabia to issue a blistering condemnation of what it described as “brutal Iranian aggression.” Saudi officials made it clear that Riyadh is standing in full solidarity with the nations targeted in Saturday’s coordinated Iranian assault.