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Butler Today
By the People, for the People
Trump Says Iran Operation Could Last Weeks, Claims 'I Got Him Before He Got Me'
President Trump speaks about the military strikes against Iran and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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In an interview with ABC News, former President Donald Trump said the military operation against Iran could last for weeks, claiming he ordered the attack that killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before Khamenei could carry out a plot to kill Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign. Trump said the Iranians had made concessions in recent talks, but he felt the U.S. had become "spoiled" and decided to move forward with the attack.
Why it matters
The killing of Khamenei marks a major escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Trump claiming the operation was a preemptive strike to stop an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate him. This development could have significant geopolitical implications and raises questions about the future of U.S.-Iran relations.
The details
According to Trump, U.S. intelligence believed Iran was plotting to kill him during the 2024 presidential campaign. Additional security resources were added to Trump's Secret Service detail as a result. Trump said he ordered the attack that killed Khamenei before Khamenei could carry out the alleged plot against him, stating "I got him before he got me." The president claimed the military operation has been a success, with most of Iran's potential post-Khamenei leadership also killed in the strikes.
- In the summer of 2024, U.S. intelligence believed Iran was plotting to kill then-candidate Trump.
- The attack that killed Khamenei occurred on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The players
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who ordered the military strikes against Iran.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The Supreme Leader of Iran who was killed in the U.S. military operation.
What they’re saying
“I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first.”
— Donald Trump, Former President (ABC News)
“Nobody else could have done this but me, and you know that.”
— Donald Trump, Former President (ABC News)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
