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U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes has created a pathway to diplomacy, calling it "a great day for this country, a great day for the world," as mourning and demonstrations erupted across Iran with the Red Crescent reporting 201 dead and 747 injured.
"Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously," Trump told CBS News during a phone interview when asked about the prospect of a diplomatic solution.
"Because they are getting beaten up badly," he added.
Trump announced that Khamenei, who served as Iran's supreme leader for nearly 37 years, was killed in the strikes. Sources told CBS News that roughly 40 Iranian officials were also killed.
"There are some good candidates" to lead Iran in the wake of Khamenei's death, Trump stated, without elaborating.
The president said he has spent much of the day in discussions with U.S. officials and world leaders and is closely monitoring Iran's retaliatory response.
Trump said Iran's counterstrikes were "what we expected" but less than anticipated. "We thought it'd be double," he said, adding that the situation remains 'fluid.'
U.S. Central Command said there have been no reports of U.S. deaths or injuries from the operation. In Israel, one person was killed, and dozens were injured in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
Trump declined to characterize the conflict as a formal "war" with Iran.
"I always want to work with Congress. Always. I've always worked with Congress," he said when asked about consulting lawmakers.
Iran's state television confirmed early Sunday that Khamenei lost his life during the strikes, declaring that Iran's "Islamic revolution leader has reached martyrdom."
The government instituted a 40-day national period of mourning and a seven-day official holiday.
Iranian sources reported that several members of Khamenei's family, including his daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and daughter-in-law, were killed in the strikes.
Officials said the attack struck Khamenei while he was at his office in Tehran.
Iranian state media emphasized that, contrary to earlier reports that he had been moved to a secure location, Khamenei was "duty-bound, among the people" at the time, describing his death as reflecting his lifelong public leadership role.
Large crowds took to the streets in cities across Iran following the announcement. In Tehran, hundreds assembled in Enqelab Square, raising flags and posters of Khamenei and shouting slogans condemning the U.S. and Israel.
In the holy city of Qom, hundreds gathered at the shrine of Hazrat Masume to denounce the attacks. In Mashhad, mourners draped a black flag over the dome of the Imam Reza Shrine, one of Iran's most revered religious sites, in a symbolic gesture of grief.
Many were seen shedding tears in the surrounding area.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported 201 deaths and 747 injuries from the broader strikes across the country.
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