Trump claims Iran's military leaders killed in US-Israel strikes
US President Donald Trump stated that successive US-Israeli attacks have eliminated Iran's military leadership, including figures he had considered potential successors to Ayatollah Khamenei. Speaking with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump suggested the strikes killed most of the people he had in mind to lead Iran after Khamenei, raising concerns about who might take over. "Most of the people we had in mind are dead," Trump said, questioning whether the next leader would be better. "We'd like to see somebody in there that's going to bring it back for the people," he added. The US later confirmed approximately 49 top Iranian military chiefs were eliminated in the strikes. Chancellor Merz expressed uncertainty about the strategy for governing Iran post-intervention, noting "a relatively high degree of uncertainty" and questioning the basis for the strikes. "There has been no lack of diplomacy," Merz stated, "but there has been a lack of willingness to cooperate on the part of Iran." The US has declared Iran talks 'too late' and announced unlimited munitions for continued conflict.