Trump: Diplomatic solution in Iran remains possible and "much easier now"

President Trump told CBS News connected Saturday evening that helium believes U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have been effectual and could make a pathway to diplomacy. 

"Much easier present than it was a time ago, obviously," Mr. Trump said, erstwhile asked astir the imaginable of a diplomatic solution to the situation during a telephone interview. "Because they are getting bushed up badly."

He expressed assurance successful the results truthful far, calling Saturday's strikes "a large time for this country, a large time for the world."

Earlier, Mr. Trump announced that Khamenei, the Iranian ultimate person for astir 37 years, was killed successful the strikes. Sources told CBS News that astir 40 Iranian officials were killed successful the U.S.-Iran attack.

Mr. Trump told CBS News that "there are immoderate bully candidates" to pb Iran successful the aftermath of Khamenei's decease but did not elaborate. 

Early Saturday night, aft speaking with officials and world leaders passim the day, the president said that helium continues to intimately show the Iranian effect successful the portion to the strikes. Iran launched ballistic missiles astatine Israel and attacks connected U.S. allies elsewhere successful the Middle East. 

"It's what we expected," Mr. Trump said of the retaliatory response, but helium noted that Iran's attacks truthful acold are little than what the U.S. and its allies anticipated.

"We thought it'd beryllium double," helium said, though helium added that the concern remains fluid. "Thus far, it's been little than we thought."

There person been nary reports of U.S. deaths oregon injuries amid the cognition successful Iran, U.S. Central Command said. In Israel, 1 idiosyncratic was killed successful the retaliatory strikes and dozens were injured.

On Capitol Hill, Republicans person been supportive of the president. Some Democratic leaders, specified arsenic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, person urged Trump to supply "Congress and the American radical with captious details astir the scope and immediacy of the threat."

When asked if helium wants to enactment with Congress connected Iran-related matters moving forward, Mr. Trump said, "I ever privation to enactment with Congress. Always. I've ever worked with Congress." 

Toward the extremity of the interview, Mr. Trump again praised the U.S. strikes arsenic palmy and declined to reply whether helium sees the U.S. combat operations successful Iran arsenic a "war" with the country. He said helium remains focused connected eliminating threats to the United States.

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• Iran
• Donald Trump