Live updates: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead

President Donald Trump called the ayatollah "one of the most evil people in history" in a Truth Social post announcing his death after predawn strikes in Iran today.

What to know

•SUPREME LEADER DEAD:President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed today after the U.S. and Israel launched a predawn assault on the country. Iranian state media later confirmed his death.

•MAJOR JOINT ATTACK:The U.S. launched "major combat operations" in Iran, joined by Israel, Trump announced earlier in a video message.

•IRAN'S LEADERS TARGETED:Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, two U.S. officials told NBC News, while the U.S. aimed to take out Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

•TRUMP URGES REGIME CHANGE:Trump urged Iranians to “take over your government” when the strikes are over. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said.

•DEATH TOLL:The Iranian Red Crescent said more than 200 people have been killed and roughly 700 others have been injured

•IRAN RETALIATION:Iran responded by firing missiles at Israel, as well as at U.S. bases across the region in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, sending ripples across the Middle East.

•TEHRAN WILLING TO TALK:In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Iranian Foreign Minister AbbasAraghchi said Iran was interested in de-escalation and willing to talk if the U.S.and Israel halted attacks.He told Trump that regime change was "mission impossible."

(In the middle of the strike he comes out and says they are willing to talk! It was ridiculous when America had months of talks with Tehran before the Israel & American strike on the nuclear weapon site.And now today during the bombing in Iran they want to talk now. They had two lengthy talks with no progress, and Iran never had any intent to talk. It was always a lie so they could gear up more to attack Israel and promising constantly they would bomb America! Trump and America had had enough.)

Updated February 28, 2026, 9:39 PM EST

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/israel-iran-live-updates-rcna261099

LIVE UPDATE FROM THE LIVEBLOG OF SATURDAY,

FEBRUARY 28, 2026

Saudi leader lobbied Trump to strike Iran, despite outwardly favoring diplomacy — report

US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran came after Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader lobbied him repeatedly to make the move, the Washington Post reports.

“Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanmade multiple private phone calls to Trump over the past month advocating a US attack,despite his public support for a diplomatic solution,” the outlet reports, citing four unnamed people familiar with the matter.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saudi-leader-lobbied-trump-to-strike-iran-despite-outwardly-favoring-diplomacy-report/

(I wonder is Israel is making this up?)

The Telegraph

A day of strike and counterstrike as Trump unleashes ‘Epic Fury’ on Iran

Akhtar Makoii

Sat, February 28, 2026 at 4:49 PM1/4

The first missile struck the compound of Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, at 9.55am Tehran time.

As many astwenty-nine more followed shortly after.

Within minutes, the presidential palace in Pasteur Square was hit. Then the parliament building in Baharestan Square. The Ministry of Intelligence headquarters on Nejatollahi Street.

The defence ministry compound just off the Qasem Soleimani Expressway. The national security council headquarters on Valiasr Street. And Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centres across the capital.

There could be no doubt about Donald Trump’s mission. This was about taking down the Iranian regime.

Mohammed Pakpour, the IRGC chief, was killed, as was Amir Nasirzadeh, Iran’s defence minister.

Khamenei’s daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also killed. (Where was his son and daughter?)

And then late on Saturday night, Donald Trump announced that Khameni himself was dead. Israel said his body had been pulled from the rubble.

“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence andHighly Sophisticated Tracking Systemsand, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” the president posted on his Truth Social channel.

More than 200 US and Israeli jets surged into Iranian air spaceas strikes were launched across the country and continued on Saturday night.

IRGC naval bases along the Persian Gulf coast were struck, as were missile production facilities in Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah and Bushehr.

Explosions were heardat Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, as well as in Tabriz, Dezful, Nahavand and Kangavar in Kermanshah province.

The US launched strikes on Iranbecause intelligence indicated Tehran intendedto use conventional missiles pre-emptively against US troops and was rebuilding nuclear facilities destroyed in last year’s war rather than negotiating seriously, US officials said.

“We had indicatorsthat they intended to use it potentially, pre-emptively, but if not, if not simultaneous, against with any actions against them, immediately against us,” a senior Trump administration official added.

Tehran was negotiating from a position of weakness following January’s mass protests but still would not make necessary concessions.

The US was willing to establish “guardrails and framework for a civilian nuclear programme – as other countries do –but Iran wanted to enrich, which the US said made no sense” for a purely civilian program, officials said.

Nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordowwere being rebuiltafter Operation Midnight Hammer last year.

“The US believed that they were rebuilding manufacturing capacity – aviolation of existing protocolsand what the US wanted after Midnight Hammer,” officials said.

In Tehran, residents were told to leave the capital amid the ongoing bombardment.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-launches-massive-ongoing-strikes-111840887.html

>>24323099

2/4

In all, Iran’s Red Crescent saidthat more than 20 provinces were hit, with many residential homes also being struck.

Two hours later, Donald Trump addressed the world– and specifically the Iranian regime – about operation “Epic Fury”.

“To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police,I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death.”

Then he spoke to the Iranian people. “To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand…when we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

He admitted that “Americans may be lost and there may be casualties”.

Mr Trump launched the attack during nuclear negotiations.His envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been in Geneva on Thursday for what Iran’s foreign minister called “one of the most serious rounds” of talks.

Oman’s foreign minister, who was mediating the talks, said “peace is within our reach.”

Instead, there was war.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said Israel had joined the operation “to remove the existential threat” posed by the Islamic Republic, and “create the conditions” for Iranians to change their destiny.

Security officials said the strikes would be more intensive than in last June’s 12-day conflict.

Sir Keir Starmer said British planes “are in the sky today” in the Middle East as part of defensive operations,though the UK was not directly involved.

Iran took two hours to respond.

The IRGC announced “Operation True Promise 4” andclaimed strikes on 14 American military bases across the Middle East.

The targets included Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and Muwaffaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan,though most missiles were intercepted.

The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain wasstruck by a Shahed suicide drone, though no US personnel were injured.

Iran claimed to have struck an American naval support ship, though the US denied this.

Iranian missiles targeted Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and northern Israel, thoughthe Iron Dome appeared to hold.

In Israel, the government banned all unnecessary gatherings and advised citizens to stay close to bomb shelters.

Israeli airspace has also been closed until further notice, while the health ministry ordered hospitals to move their operations underground.

Out at sea, an official ⁠from Operation Aspides, the EU’s naval mission to protect Red Sea shipping, said vessels have been receiving VHF transmissions from the IRGC saying:“No ship is allowed to pass the Strait of ‌Hormuz.”

(https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-launches-massive-ongoing-strikes-111840887.html

>>24323111

3/4

Iran’s armed forces spokesman declaredall American interests in the region “on land, sea and air” are legitimate targets.

By midday, Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, was on American television.

When asked about Khamenei, he said, “as far as I know,” the supreme leader remains alive.

“Almost all officials are safe and sound and alive. We may have lost one or two commanders but that is not a big problem.”

Last night, Mr Netanyahu said there were many signs that Khamenei was “no longer”.

And then Mr Trump said he was dead. There was no immediate response from Iran to the Truth Social post which called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history”.

In southern Iran, it was feared that 85 people, including dozens of schoolgirls, were killed at the Shajare Tayyebe elementary school in Minab.

The supreme national security council told citizens to leave Tehran and targeted cities “if possible” because “their operations will continue.”

Iran’s retaliationas dangerous as it was desperate.

Last night, it fired missiles and drones across civilian targets in the Middle East

A five-star hotel in Dubai, several residential buildings in Bahrain and Kuwait’s international airport were all hit, while waves of ballistic missiles were fired at Israel.

One breached the fearsome Iron Dome, killing one woman in Tel Aviv and injuring more than a dozen others.

The luxury Fairmont Palm hotel in Dubai was on fire after being struck by a suicide drone. Four people were injured, and Britishtourists staying at the hotel were among those sheltering in the basement.

At least one person was killed by debris from an intercepted missile in Abu Dhabi.

Eight people were injured in Qatar.

The exchange of fire continued into the night.

This is the second full-scale war waged on Iranby the US and Israel in less than a year.

The first conflict, in June 2024, lasted 12 days. It ended with a ceasefire after strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military infrastructure.

This time, war came during negotiations that appeared to be making progress.

Oman had mediated three rounds of talks. Iran had agreed never to stockpile enriched uranium. It was called a “major breakthrough” that meant Iran “will never ever have nuclear material that will create a bomb.”

Technical teams were scheduled to meet in Vienna on Monday. A fourth round of high-level negotiations was planned. Foreign minister Araghchi had called Thursday’s Geneva talks “one of the most serious rounds”.

Neither side appears interested in limiting escalation.Iran promised operations “until definitive defeat of the enemy”.

Mr Trump promised to “annihilate” Iran’s navy and ensure the regime never gets nuclear weapons.These objectives require regime change, not negotiated limits.

Newdetails about American capabilitiesused in the war emerged on Saturday afternoon.

(https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-launches-massive-ongoing-strikes-111840887.html

>>24323114

4/4

For thefirst time, the US military used “one-way attack drones” in combat. These are expendable weapons that loiter over targets and destroy themselves on impact.

Combined with Tomahawk cruise missiles and aircraft munitions from multiple directions, the assaultcreated “defence saturation,” more threats than any air defence system can handle simultaneously.

“We have effectively suppressed their air defences,” one US official said.

Theoperation used a multi-geographic command and control structure. Hundreds of targets. Not a single night of strikes but a “multi-day operation” designed to systematically dismantle Iran’s military infrastructure.

Iran’s air defences use Russian S-300 systems, Chinese radars and domestically produced networks.

They faced coordinated strikes from every direction. Some were destroyed. Others went silent to avoid being targeted.

US officials dismissed Iran’s retaliation as “ineffective”.

The internet blackout in Iran cut connectivity to 4 per cent of normal levels. Major news agencies, including state outlet IRNAwere hacked and taken offline.

Basij militia patrols are deployed across all 22 districts of Tehran to suppress any civil unrest, though some people were seen celebrating the bombs falling on regime targets.There were sporadic chants of “death to the dictator”.

The Supreme National Security Council warned of “severe punishment for spies” and told citizens to report suspicious activity to intelligence agencies.

The IRGC claimed to havedestroyed a Qatar-basedUS FP-132 radar system with a 5,000-kilometre range.

They said that their response on Saturday was “just a warm up.” They have not commented on the claimed demise of their supreme leader.

Mr Trump said: “The heavy and pinpoint bombing will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!

“I can go long and take over the whole thing,or end it in two or three days and tell the Iranians, ‘see you again in a few yearsif you start rebuilding [your nuclear and missile programs]’. In any case, it will take them several years to recover from this attack.”

Of the US Army, he said: “We have the greatest in the world, and they will prevail.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-launches-massive-ongoing-strikes-111840887.html

The first missile struck Khamenei compound at 9:55 am Tehran time. Within minutes, the Presidential palace was hit. Then the Parliament building in Baharestan Square. The Ministry of Intelligence headquarters was next, then Defense Ministry compound just off Soleimani Expressway. Finally, IRGC commands across the capital.

Shawn Farash

@Shawn_Farash

TRUMP ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF IRAN'S "SUPREME LOSER"

(The only thing I laughed about were the goats. A little too soon maybe)

https://x.com/Shawn_Farash/status/2027901337581596675?s=20

Breaking911

@Breaking911

🚨 WATCH: The moment Iranian state TV announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

From

GeoInsider

8:41 PM · Feb 28, 2026

·

543.1K

Views

https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2027922162380668970?s=20

>>24323149

Oops here’s the video

Breaking911

@Breaking911

🚨 WATCH: The moment Iranian state TV announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

From

GeoInsider

8:41 PM · Feb 28, 2026

·

543.1K

Views

https://x.com/Breaking911/status/2027922162380668970?s=20

Throwback Iran

@Tarikh_Eran

Unbelievable 😂

Iranian high school students are THANKING president Trump for striking the regime in Iran.

“I love Trump!” One student says

Last edited

3:37 AM · Feb 28, 2026

·

3.1M

Views

https://x.com/Tarikh_Eran/status/2027664484957823426?s=20

How world leaders have reacted to the US and Israel joint strikes on Iran 1/3

If there ever a war against the USA most would not come to our aid, the are mostly cowards

By Karishma Sarkar

World leaders have reacted to the US and Israel's joint operation - named Epic Fury by the US and Roaring Lion by Israel - targeting Iranon Saturday.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese showed his support for the US' actions but Russia, Brazil and Pakistan have all condemned the bilateral attacks.

The majority of European and Middle Easternleaders are hoping to find a way forward without a nuclear escalation, which was claimed to be the reason for the strikes in the first place.

Here's how world leaders and various countries have responded to the surprise strikes:

The Omani government was working as mediators between the US and Iran to try and prevent war but talks earlier this week failed to reach a deal.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the active and serious negotiations mediated by his country were "yet again undermined" amid the on-going escalation.

"Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this…I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war," he said on X.

Canada's leader supports US action

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its government from further threatening international peace and security.

He says Canada is clear in its position that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East."

Carney is also urging Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.

Japan 'monitoring the developments with great concern'

Japan has flagged energy security as a concern but stopped short of condemning either side in the strikes that have been traded on Saturday.

Japan's foreign ministry said that the "situation in the Middle East has a significant impact on Japan, including from the perspective of energy security," adding that the Japanese government "is closely monitoring the developments with great concern."

Spain says strikes have created more 'hostile international order'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that his country "reject(s) the unilateral military action of the United States and Israel, which constitutes an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order."

He said that Spain also "reject(s) the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard," adding: "we cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East."

Spanish Foreign Minister Albares later said on X that Madrid demanded respect for international law, de-escalation and dialogue, showing support and solidarity with those who are receiving the strikes.

"The attacks must stop," he added.

Brazilian government condemns strikes on Iran

The Brazilian government on Saturday condemned US-Israel attacks on Iranian targets and expressed grave concern over the military action.

"The attacks occurred amid a negotiation process between the parties, which is the only viable path to peace, a position traditionally defended by Brazil in the region," the government said in a statement.

The Brazilian government appealed to all parties to respect international law and exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalating hostilities and protect civilians.

Its embassies in the region are monitoring developments, with particular attention to Brazilian communities in affected countries, according to the statement.

British PM holds emergency meeting

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that while the UK didn't participate in the attack on Iran, its planes provided air defence for its people and allies in the region.

"We've stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level," Starmer said.

The Iranian leadership is "utterly abhorrent", has killed its own people and destabilised the region and should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, Starmer said.

"Iran can end this now," he said.

"They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people."

Britain's immediate priority was the safety of its nationals in the region, and it would provide consular assistance, according to the statement.

The UK's Foreign Office also updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and urged British nationals in other Middle Eastern countries to "immediately shelter in place."

https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-world-leaders-countries-reactions/27dfca37-6809-4f2c-9d2b-1d2d15da269b

>>24323253

2/3

EU calls for restraint and diplomacy

European Union leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in have hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."

"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

"We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law." (The EU has pledged war on Russia for close to six years, and Russia has never attacked EU countries)

Both said that the EU has pushed to resolve critical issues through diplomacy but also has in place "extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards."

They said Brussels was working with the EU's 27 member nations to support the bloc's citizens in the Middle East.

Ukraine's president supports US-led strikes(Its always about Ukraine and Russia for his attention seeking punk)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for US-led strikes on Iran, calling the country "an accomplice of Putin" for supplying Shahed drones and the technology for Moscow to produce them and other weapons in its four-year war against Ukraine.

"Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

"Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran."

(Cut 3 more paragraphs because Z trying to get the limelight, he’s a disgusting turd!)

UN human rights chief deplores strikes

Volker Türk expressed regret about the strikes by Israel and the United States, and the "retaliatory" strikes by Iran.

"As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price," said Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery."

He called for restraint, de-escalation and a return to the negotiating table.

Pakistan condemns attacks on Iran

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as "unwarranted attacks" on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said Dar called for" an immediate halt to escalation through urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis."

Saudi Arabia condemns Iranian strikes

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian assaults on the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan as a breach of their sovereignty.

The Kingdom confirmed that it fully stands by those countries and warned of the "dire consequences of continued breach of sovereignty and violating international principles."

Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to take measures to confront the Iranian assaults that are "undermining" the stability and security of the region.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-world-leaders-countries-reactions/27dfca37-6809-4f2c-9d2b-1d2d15da269b

>>24323261

3/3

China urges immediate ceasefire

China's ministry of foreign affairs on Saturday expressed deep concerns over the US and Israel's military strikes against Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire.

The ministry said Iran's national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, and urged all sides to avoid further escalation of tensions, and to resume dialogue and negotiations.

France advises its citizens to exercise caution

France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, has called on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.

President Emmanuel Macron said that "the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security."

He wrote on X that "the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop," calling on Iran to "to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilisation activities."

Lebanese PM doesn't want to be dragged into the conflict

Nawaf Salam clarified his position in a brief response, saying his country won't be dragged into the conflict.

"I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity," the prime minister said.

Norwegian Foreign Minister says Israel broke international law

Norway's foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide said she believed Israel's rational for the attacks on Iran were outside of legal practices.

"The attack is described by Israel as a preventive strike, but it is not in line with international law," he said.

Preventive attacks require an immediately imminent threat."

'Deeply worrying" turn of event Finnish President says

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that "recent events in the Middle East are deeply worrying".

He adding that "ensuring nuclear safety and long-term security in the region is of utmost importance to all of us."

Finland "condemns all actions that seek to escalate the conflict in the region and urge for utmost restraint," he added.

Ireland's leader also "deeply concerned"

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin wrote that he is "deeply concerned by developments in Iran and the real potential that exists for escalation and wider conflict in the region", urging "all parties to exercise restraint and to work to avoid that outcome."

Hungary worries about oil pipeline

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán saidthat the strikes on Iran have "doubled the importance of the Friendship oil pipeline," which runs through Ukraine and supplies Russian crude oil to his country.

Shipments of Russian oil to Hungary and ⁠Slovakia have been cut off since late January, when Kyiv says a ​Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in Western Ukraine.

Solidarity for Israel from Albania

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama said his country "stand(s) firm with Israel" and "support(s) the United States" in their actions today.

"We fully endorse every decisive effort to prevent once and for all the murderers in Tehran from acquiring nuclear or any other military capacity to harm Israel or any other peace-loving nation in the Middle East," he said.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-world-leaders-countries-reactions/27dfca37-6809-4f2c-9d2b-1d2d15da269b

Alleged terrorist explained smoked-out plot to kill Trump by placing vape on napkin: ‘How will it die?’

Ben Kochman & Greg Carlton

Feb. 26, 2026

This harebrained assassination plot went up in smoke.

An alleged Iran-backed terrorist who bizarrely thought he could put a bargain-priced hit out on Donald Trump by paying two men just $5,000 upfront acted out the wacky plot by placing a vape on a napkin to denote his “target,” new video released Thursday reveals.

“This is the target. How will it die?” Asif Merchant said as he gestured to the creamsicle colored smoking device inside a hotel room filled with FBI secret cameras, the footage played for a Brooklyn jury shows.

Merchant, a 47-year-old native of Pakistan, sketched out his plan to whack the then-frontrunner for the GOP nomination during a recorded June 4, 2024 meeting with a recruit who’d been working with the fedsz

“Look, to kill this one from here is very easy,” Merchant said in the video, pointing to the left side of the vape, which he placed on an unfolded napkin inside a room at the Floral Park Motor Lodge in Queens.

Iran has repeatedly targeted Trump in retaliation for the US drone strike that killed prominent Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimaniin 2020, during Trump’s first term, US officials say.

Merchant believed he’d get away with the hit and would then target more people who he said “are hurting Pakistan and the world, the Muslim world,” the video shows.

“This is not a one-time job. The work will continue,” he told his recruit-turned-snitch, who testified under the alias “Nadeem Ali.”

But theFBI smoked out the scheme and arrested Merchant as he tried to leave the country that July after paying two purported contract killers— who were actually undercover feds that Ali had connected him with — each a $5,000 “advance” toward the planned hit, court papers say.

Merchant wanted to stage a phony protest at the Trump rally — in a half-baked ruse he claimed would allow the killers to escape, recordings played at the trial show. He also spoke to Ali about separate plans to steal government documents from buildings, the footage reveals.

Merchant never named Trump himself, but court papers show that Trump was his intended target and that he’d searched for locations of Trump rallies online.

Ali, a self-described “deliveryman” who came to the US from Pakistan whenhe was 18 and was stationed in Afghanistan as a US Army linguist, first took the stand on Wednesday at Merchant’s Brooklyn federal court trial, where the accused plotter faces up to life in prison on murder-for-hire and terror charges.

The FBI snitch said he’d been introduced to Merchant by a friend in the Big Apple’s close-knit Pakistani community, and thatMerchant had asked to work with him on a clothing business.

ButAli got spooked and contacted law enforcement after noticing unmarked cars— who he feared might be Taliban terrorists targeting him for his army work in the Middle East — tailing him during several of his meetings with Merchant, he said.

FBI agents revealed they’d been investigating Merchant, and asked if he’d be willing to record their conversations.Ali testified that he agreed to work on the sting and was later paid $20,000 for his efforts.

Merchant arrived in the U.S. from Pakistan in April 2024, court papers show. His defense lawyer said he’d obtained a temporary visa and called him “a visitor…. here by permission of the federal government.”

US officials have called Merchant an agent of the Iranian regime. He did not reveal toAli who he was working for, but implied that his handler was politically connected in Iran and had helped his Iran-based wifewith an immigration issue, according to a recording played at the trial on Thursday.

The accused terrorist has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have tried to paint him as a family man by bringing up that he has two separate families, with wives and kids, in both Pakistan and Iran, an unusual arrangement they called “perfectly legal.”

(https://nypost.com/2026/02/26/us-news/alleged-terrorist-explained-smoked-out-plot-to-kill-trump-by-placing-vape-on-napkin-how-will-it-