United States President Donald Trump has claimed that more than 48 Iranian leaders were killed in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, hailing the operation as a significant success.
“Nobody can believe the success we’re having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it’s moving along rapidly,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
The military strike that began on Saturday was intended to weaken the leadership of the Islamic Republic and reduce its military strength.
Iran has since acknowledged the death of its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
In a separate interview with CNBC, Trump reiterated his belief that the mission is moving forward successfully.
“We’re doing our job not just for us but for the world. And everything is ahead of schedule,” he said. “Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way.”
The interviews were conducted before the U.S. military announced its first casualties in the conflict. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that three service members were killed, five seriously wounded, and several others sustained lighter injuries.
CENTCOM also said U.S. forces had sunk an Iranian warship at a dock in the Gulf of Oman as part of ongoing operations.