Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel, President Trump confirmed Saturday afternoon. The strikes, which targeted a compound where Khamenei was located, arrive as the Trump administration asserts the need to eliminate “imminent threats” from the Iranian regime.
The all-Democratic Massachusetts federal delegation has swiftly condemned the action and is demanding that Congress reconvene immediately to reassert its constitutional authority to declare war. The delegation argues that the Trump administration, in collaboration with Israel, has bypassed Congress’s role in authorizing military action.
“Whether it be the operation that clearly failed to take out Iran’s nuclear capability, or the strikes in Venezuela that ousted a foreign leader with no clear military objective, I have consistently called on the President to seek authorization from Congress. The same holds true today,” said Congressman Richard Neal (MA-01). The reference to Venezuela alludes to a previous instance where the Trump administration initiated military action without explicit congressional approval.
Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) drew parallels between the current strikes and the 2003 invasion of Iraq, citing concerns about the justification for military intervention. “The two basic problems with Bush’s War in Iraq were that it was based on a lie and there was no plan for what comes next. It’s hard to argue both are not true today,” Moulton stated. He specifically questioned the claims regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities, echoing past criticisms of intelligence used to justify military action.
The White House maintains that the strikes were necessary to defend American interests and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. In a video released Saturday, Trump urged the Iranian public to overthrow their government, stating, “when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.” He characterized the Iranian regime as a “vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) criticized Trump’s actions as “illegal” and warned of the potential for escalation. “Trump’s illegal actions raise the threat of escalation into a wider regional war with grave risks for U.S. Troops and civilians in the region,” Markey said. He also challenged the administration’s assessment of the Iranian nuclear threat, referencing a previous operation Trump claimed had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) expressed concern about the return of American servicemembers to the Middle East, less than five years after the conclusion of the 20-year War in Afghanistan. The Massachusetts delegation’s unified stance underscores their opposition to the administration’s foreign policy decisions.
The attack has garnered support from some Republicans on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a post on X, stated that Iran is “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” citing the country’s support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations. The Massachusetts Republican Party issued a statement affirming its support for President Trump’s actions, asserting that the Khamenei regime had threatened both Israel and American interests for decades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a national address that “growing signs” indicated Khamenei had been killed during the strike on his compound. However, neither the U.S. Nor Iran has officially confirmed or denied the reports, according to the Associated Press.
Ayatollah Khamenei succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and held ultimate authority over Iran’s political and religious affairs. He commanded the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and oversaw the country’s clerical establishment.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued a statement Saturday assuring residents that state and federal authorities are coordinating to monitor for any potential threats to the state. “There are no credible threats to Massachusetts, and keeping our communities safe is always our top priority,” Healey said.