Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly dead after overnight bombing

In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Iran’s leader, Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes aimed at toppling the Islamic republic’s hardline regime.

U.S., Israel launch massive attack on Iran; Trump warns of American casualties as Tehran hits back

Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo)

Video

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

The U.S. and Israel launched a massive joint military attack early Saturday against Iran, as President Trump urged the Iranian people to “take over your government” and called on members of the Islamic republic’s military to immediately surrender or be killed.

Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo)

Video

U.S., Israel launch massive attack on Iran; Trump warns of American casualties as Tehran hits back

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump reverses course on military power for regime change

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Rubble remains in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Amir Kholousi, ISNA)

Trump team to plug in Congress as Democrats erupt over Iran bombing

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Republicans renew calls for Democrats to fund DHS after strike on Iran

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Ruins remain in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Amir Kholousi/ISNA)

During Iran strikes, U.S. forces use one-way attack drones for first time in combat

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Happening Now

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Republicans renew calls for Democrats to fund DHS after strike on Iran

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Ruins remain in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Amir Kholousi/ISNA)

During Iran strikes, U.S. forces use one-way attack drones for first time in combat

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Feb. 14, 2023. (Yan Yan/Xinhua via AP, File)

Beijing says stop bombing ally Iran

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel, flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, and Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, appears before reporters at the Justice Department, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington, to announce the capture of a key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. compound that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

More turmoil at FBI amid firings by Patel, whistleblower action, Olympics visit

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Commentary

Getting rid of the Department of Education illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

New Hampshire legislators fight back against leftist violence and overreach

By Editorial Board

Democrats' hatred for the United States of America illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Democrats cannot stand America

By Kelly Sadler

The entrance to the Wisconsin Supreme Court chambers is seen in the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Todd Richmond, File)

Swing-state showdown: Wisconsin Supreme Court election carries presidential stakes

By Scott Walker

United States' Jack Hughes (86), right, celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal against Canada in sudden death overtime during the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Media reaction to USA men’s team gold medal reveals shocking bias

By Tim Murtaugh

Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger and socialism illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Abigail Spanberger’s leftist ‘coming out’ party

By Editorial Board

Culture View all

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Scouting America to reverse DEI policies at the Defense Department’s request

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

In this file photo, President Donald Trump, accompanied by an Easter Bunny, takes part in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn in Washington, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Ticket lottery now open for 2026 White House Easter Egg Roll

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Airplanes are parked at gates near the air traffic control tower at the Tampa International Airport, Nov. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) **FILE**

Tampa airport jokes about banning pajamas, worrying passengers

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Recording artist Neil Sedaka poses for a portrait in New York on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen) **FILE**

Neil Sedaka, the singer-songwriter behind dozens of hits of the 1960s and ‘70s, dies at age 86

By Leanne Italie - Associated Press

View all

Ruins remain in the aftermath of an Israeli-U.S. strike in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Amir Kholousi/ISNA)

During Iran strikes, U.S. forces use one-way attack drones for first time in combat

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, leaves during the Conference on Disarmament, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

Explosions reported near Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi as Iran launches major counterattack

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo)

Video
U.S., Israel launch massive attack on Iran; Trump warns of American casualties as Tehran hits back

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

Anthropic rejects Pentagon’s ultimatum over unlimited Claude AI use for military

By Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Trump Central View all

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump reverses course on military power for regime change

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump gestures from the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Trump wades into Texas primary, but doesn’t endorse candidate

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Video
Read Trump’s statement on Iran in full: ‘They can never have a nuclear weapon’

Associated Press

Pages from the Anthropic website and the company's logos are displayed on a computer screen in New York on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

Trump orders federal government to stop using Anthropic in dispute between AI firm and Pentagon

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Most Popular

Iranian exile group forms provisional government amid U.S.-Israeli operation

U.S., Israel launch massive attack on Iran; Trump warns of American casualties as Tehran hits back

Reports: Iran tells ships that it's closing Strait of Hormuz

Trump team to plug in Congress as Democrats erupt over Iran bombing

Beijing says stop bombing ally Iran

Politics View all

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Republicans renew calls for Democrats to fund DHS after strike on Iran

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

I'm George Gerbo and welcome to Washington Times Weekly, where we get a chance to sit down with our reporters and talk about their coverage of the latest news and events.

Joining me today is National Reporter Tom Howell Jr.

Video
Washington Times Weekly: The tariff bill comes due and everyone wants to collect

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks to a supporter during a campaign event, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Senate primaries set stage for November showdown

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

A group of men wave Iranian flags as they attend a demonstration in support of the government and against U.S. and Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran strikes: Democrats uneasy over lack of congressional approval, Republicans applaud Trump

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

Students walk past Royce Hall on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) **FILE**

Confidence gap: Students insist on college value as public doubts grow

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Jeff Robb, a Seattle resident wintering in Tucson, signs a banner supporting Nancy Guthrie in Tucson Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Despite high-profile Guthrie case, kidnappings are extraordinarily rare in U.S.

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire, in Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, following the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho." (AP Photo/Armando Solis)

Video
Inside the Mexican military raid that killed one of the world’s most powerful cartel leaders

Ilia Malinin of the United States does a back flip during his performance in the figure skating exhibition at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Video
WATCH: Olympic athletes bring silver, gold back to D.C. region

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

National View all

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP, File)

2 indicted on firearm charges in connection with shooting outside Utah church

Associated Press

Actor Shia LaBeouf, who was arrested this month over an alleged assault outside a bar during Mardi Gras, enters New Orleans Criminal Court, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

More trouble for actor Shia LaBeouf, arrested again on battery charge in New Orleans

Associated Press

This Feb. 26, 2016 file photo, shows the entrance to St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)

Cher’s son charged with simple assault and trespassing at New Hampshire private school

Associated Press

An United airplane descends to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

FAA says airlines overscheduled flights at Chicago’s O’Hare, wants to pare them

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

World View all

In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly dead after overnight bombing

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Netanyahu showcases WWII book during his call with Trump

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

In this June 27, 2014 file photo, Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, waves to well-wishers in Villepinte, north of Paris. Four people are going on trial in the Belgian city of Antwerp on Friday Nov. 27, 2020, accused of planning to bomb a rally of Iranian opposition supporters. The plot was thwarted by a cross-border intelligence operation that led to the arrest of a couple in Brussels. (AP Photo/Rermy de la Mauviniere, File)

Iranian exile group forms provisional government amid U.S.-Israeli operation

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks before media members as he visits facilities of Siemens Energy during his official visit, in Hangzhou, China, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool Photo via AP)

World leaders fear broader escalation after major U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran

By Claudia Ciobanu and Sam McNeil - Associated Press

Sports View all

Duke's Cameron Boozer (12) handles the ball between Virginia's Johann Grünloh (17) and Devin Tillis (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

Evans, Boozer help Duke beat Virginia to clinch ACC Tournament’s top seed

By Aaron Beard - Associated Press

United States' Kendall Coyne, left, and United States' Hilary Knight celebrate after victory ceremony for women's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Fans flock to hotline to congratulate women’s hockey team after Trump controversy overshadows win

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Duante' Abercrombie speaks to players as an instructor at the Washington Capitals' inaugural Rising Stars Academy at Medstar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The Rising Stars Academy that took place Aug. 19-20 was designed to provide minority hockey players with elite on-ice skill development and off-ice training geared toward problem-solving and handling some racist elements of the sport that remains predominantly white (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno) **FILE**

Capitals to honor youth hockey players, HBCU coach at Black History Night

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

A Washington Commanders helmet is seen before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Landover, Md. Dan Snyder has an agreement in principle to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales that includes Magic Johnson for a North American professional sports team record $6.05 billion. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Commanders finish third in annual NFL players’ survey

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Higher Ground View all

Police respond to a fatal shooting in a parking lot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP, File)

2 indicted on firearm charges in connection with shooting outside Utah church

Associated Press

Cities Church is seen in St. Paul, Minn. where activists shut down a service claiming the pastor was also working as an ICE agent, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) **FILE**

Justice Dept. charges 30 more people over anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Students work under Ten Commandments and Bill of Rights posters on display in a classroom at Lehman High School, in Kyle, Texas, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Hundreds of corrections being issued for Texas’ Bible-infused curriculum

By Sara Cline - Associated Press

Children play on swings during National Night Out, Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in Salisbury, Md. A Delaware school district will reimburse the family of a Jewish student for counseling and issue an anti-harassment statement after a federal probe found the girl was targeted and bullied over her religious identity. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

California becomes first state sued over ‘unchecked antisemitism’ in K-12 schools

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times

Podcasts View all

Politically Unstable

WATCH: The truth about the food industry

Patrick & Ashley Sullivan join Kelly Sadler

Threat Status Podcast

LISTEN: Threat Status podcast

Why GPS satellites are crucial to U.S. national security

District of Sports Podcast

LISTEN: District of Sports

Defenders coach Shannon Harris on winning the UFL title

Victory Over Communism

Democratic Socialists of America want total power

Victory over Communism with Bill Gertz

Sponsored Content View all

From the Special Sections Department

Building the health care Americans deserve

Building the health care Americans deserve

From the Special Sections Department

Revitalizing Rural America

Revitalizing Rural America

From the Special Sections Department

Unbridled Clean Energy: Innovating for the Future

Unbridled Clean Energy: Innovating for the Future

From the Special Sections Department

Faith at Work: Economic Flourishing and Securing Our Future

Faith at Work: Economic Flourishing and Securing Our Future

More Stories

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Feb. 14, 2023. (Yan Yan/Xinhua via AP, File)

Beijing says stop bombing ally Iran

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel, flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, and Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, appears before reporters at the Justice Department, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington, to announce the capture of a key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. compound that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

More turmoil at FBI amid firings by Patel, whistleblower action, Olympics visit

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks to a supporter during a campaign event, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Senate primaries set stage for November showdown

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

A boat in the Strait of Hormuz (AP Photo/Fay Abuelgasim)

Reports: Iran tells ships that it’s closing Strait of Hormuz

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Members of the protest group Code Pink protest Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense secretary, before the start of Hegseth's Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

China-linked leftist group calls for anti-war protests

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Netanyahu showcases WWII book during his call with Trump

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks with students and staff, during a visit to the Walbottle Academy Campus in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Scott Heppell/PA via AP)

European leaders call for resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations

By Claudia Ciobanu and Sam McNeil - Associated Press

People attend a rally in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP)

FLASHBACK: Broad-based Iranian protest movement yet to answer who rules if the mullahs fall

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Federal agents lobbed tear gas and flash bangs at protesters in front of the ICE building on Jan. 31, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP)

‘Brutal and violent’: Judge denounces ICE arrests in Oregon, orders limits

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The boat that the U.S. Coast Guard said it intercepted a suspected smuggling boat carrying cocaine and marijuana worth $1.3 million, photographed on Feb. 21, 2026. (Credit: United States Coast Guard)

Coast Guard stops suspected smuggling boat carrying $1.3 million worth of marijuana, cocaine

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Protesters yell at cars coming and going near a defaced sign for Bishop Whipple Federal building in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Laura Bargfeld) **FILE**

Judge blocks DHS from detaining refugees in Minnesota, warns of ‘dystopian nightmare’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump gestures from the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Trump wades into Texas primary, but doesn’t endorse candidate

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference Dec. 7, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

House GOP women target sexual misconduct in Congress after Rep. Gonzales’ inappropriate texts

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Attorney General Pam Bondi listens as she testifies before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner, File)

DOJ escalates push for states’ voter data

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

This image from body camera video provided by the Buffalo Police Department shows Nurul Amin Shah Alam, left, as he is arrested by Buffalo Police officers in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 15, 2025. (Buffalo Police Department via AP)

DHS under fire for nearly-blind migrant found dead after Border Patrol encounter

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Cities Church is seen in St. Paul, Minn. where activists shut down a service claiming the pastor was also working as an ICE agent, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) **FILE**

Justice Dept. charges 30 more people over anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Javier Yanez stands on his balcony where he hung a U.S. and Cuban flag in Old Havana Cuba on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) **FILE**

Trump says U.S. could have a ‘friendly’ takeover of Cuba

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

The Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, May 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Illegal immigrant ran fake U.S. government agency: Feds

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

A sign is displayed outside the Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, Feb. 21, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

CDC: 1,136 measles cases in the U.S. this year, but no deaths

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Mar-a-Lago, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Scouting America to reverse DEI policies at the Defense Department’s request

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times