TLDR
- U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and 48 senior officials
- Trump confirmed Iran’s new leadership has agreed to talks, though no date has been set
- Three U.S. service members were killed and five seriously wounded in the operation
- Trump described the military campaign as a “four-week process” and said it is “ahead of schedule”
- Strikes have raised concerns about oil prices, with Brent Futures (CO1:COM) and crude oil (CL1:COM) markets watching closely
Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran’s new leadership has agreed to talks after U.S. and Israeli forces carried out strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump made the comments in a series of phone interviews on Sunday, one day after he announced on Truth Social that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations in Iran.”
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump told The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer.
He did not say when talks would happen. When pressed, Trump simply said, “I can’t tell you that.”
Trump noted that some of the Iranian officials who had been involved in prior negotiations were killed in the strikes. “Most of those people are gone,” he said.
He told Fox News that 48 Iranian leaders were killed in the strikes. “Nobody can believe the success we’re having, 48 leaders are gone in one shot,” Trump said.
Trump told NBC News he views the operation as having “many outcomes that are good,” including what he called “decapitating” Iran’s leadership structure.
He described the overall military campaign as a “four-week process” and said in multiple interviews that it is running “ahead of schedule.”
U.S. military officials confirmed Sunday that three American service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded. These are the first known U.S. casualties since the campaign began.
Trump acknowledged the losses but said, “We expect casualties, but in the end it’s going to be a great deal for the world.”
Oil Markets React
Brent Futures and crude oil markets are closely watching the conflict. Trump downplayed fears of a lasting oil price spike, saying he does not expect prolonged disruption.
Iran is a major oil producer, and any extended conflict in the region typically puts upward pressure on energy prices.
Negotiations Remain Unclear
Trump was asked whether strikes would pause during negotiations. He said, “I don’t know,” adding he would consider a halt “if they can satisfy us.”
He said Iran “hasn’t been able to” satisfy U.S. demands so far. No formal ceasefire or negotiation timeline has been announced.
Trump also told CNBC that the operation is moving “rapidly” and repeated that the military is ahead of its planned schedule.
In a video posted Saturday, Trump urged Iranians to challenge their ruling regime once bombing concludes. He did not commit to U.S. military support for any potential internal uprising.
Trump also said he does not expect the conflict to affect Republican performance in upcoming midterm elections, arguing the domestic economy remains strong.
The most recent confirmed figures stand at 48 Iranian leaders killed and three U.S. service members dead as of Sunday, March 1, 2026.
