‘They Didn’t Die of COVID’ [WATCH]

Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory continued into Friday, striking key military and nuclear infrastructure sites, including ballistic missile facilities and leadership elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to reports, the strikes resulted in the deaths of multiple top Iranian military and nuclear officials, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami and other senior members of Iran’s defense leadership.

The Israeli operation, described by regional analysts as a decisive blow to Iran’s military capabilities, was reportedly not intended as a limited warning, but rather as a strategic strike aimed at neutralizing significant portions of Iran’s command-and-control and nuclear development infrastructure.

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Reports indicated that the Israeli operation had been highly coordinated and caught Iran by surprise.

Iranian air defenses reportedly failed to mount an effective response, and early indications suggest that Israel’s targeting operations were carried out with precision across multiple high-value locations.

In the aftermath of the initial strikes, speculation circulated over whether the United States was informed of the operation or had approved it.

Some political commentators questioned whether Israel had acted unilaterally.

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However, emerging information now indicates that President Donald Trump was not only aware of the operation in advance but also actively participated in efforts to obscure the timing and intent of the strikes to mislead Iranian intelligence.

Axios is reporting that Netanyahu and Trump pulled off a great deception as part of Israel’s preparation to strike Iran. If true, this would go down in history books. pic.twitter.com/R4L5azriC8

— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) June 13, 2025

President Trump just now on the 60 day window with the Islamic Republic. pic.twitter.com/wHnRlZUN3G

— Yashar Ali (@yashar) June 13, 2025

President Trump addressed the situation in a statement posted to his social media platform Friday.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” Trump said.

Dude is the ultimate troll. A true artist. pic.twitter.com/VFrSoEbSig

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) June 13, 2025

Trump’s statement appeared to confirm his prior awareness of the operation and his continued position that Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be stopped.

The comment was relayed on Fox News by anchor Bret Baier, who noted he had spoken directly with the president.

Trump has previously stated that Iran rejected diplomatic overtures aimed at preventing further escalation.

Following the airstrikes, he reportedly referred to the Israeli operation as “excellent.”

Pres. Trump to ABC News on Israel’s strikes on Iran: “I think it’s been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn’t take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come. a lot more.”@marykbruce has more. pic.twitter.com/nU1lBEOaEm

— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 13, 2025

According to CNN’s Dana Bash, Trump also said, “They didn’t die of the flu, they didn’t die of COVID.”

NEW: President Trump told CNN’s Dana Bash that Iran’s negotiators he was dealing with are all dead.

It was previously reported that Iran & the U.S. were set to hold another round of negotiations on Sunday.

Trump: “The people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners.”

Bash:… pic.twitter.com/9czlkvsdSQ

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 13, 2025

The strikes come amid heightened regional tensions and follow a series of provocations attributed to Iranian-backed militias targeting U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East.

Israeli officials have not officially commented on the full scope of the mission, though multiple reports indicate the targets included research centers, weapons depots, and IRGC leadership compounds.

As of Friday afternoon, Iranian state media has confirmed casualties among high-ranking IRGC members, though they have not released an official death toll.

Western intelligence sources have indicated that several key nuclear scientists were also among those killed.

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