Trump Claims US-Israel Attack on Iran Opens Door to Diplomacy

US President Donald Trump has stated that a joint US-Israeli military strike on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has opened the path to diplomacy. According to Trump, diplomatic negotiations will now be considerably easier.

Speaking to CBS News on Saturday evening (28 February 2026), Trump expressed confidence that diplomatic solutions to the crisis would be more achievable. “Far easier now than a day ago, of course,” Trump said when asked about the prospects for a diplomatic solution during a telephone interview. “Because they are experiencing a decisive defeat,” he added.

Trump expressed confidence in the results achieved so far, describing the Saturday (28 February) strike as an “extraordinary day” for the United States and the world.

Trump had previously announced that Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader for nearly 37 years, was killed in the attack. Sources told CBS News that approximately 40 Iranian officials were killed in the US-Israeli strike.

Trump told CBS News that “there are some good candidates” to lead Iran following Khamenei’s death but provided no further details.

The US and Israel launched a military assault on Iranian territory on Saturday (28 February). Dozens of bombs were reportedly dropped on the complex housing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iran has threatened to retaliate for the strike that killed its leader.

“The heaviest offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces will soon commence against the American terrorist territories and occupied bases,” stated the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).