India, March 2 -- Donald Trump has asserted in a statement on the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that he moved first to neutralize what he claimed was an imminent threat to his own life. This comes after the US President announced Khamenei's death in a Truth Social post, calling him "one of the most evil people in History".

Trump said in a conversation with ABC News, seemingly referencing a 2024 Iran-linked plot that US authorities had earlier said was aimed at assassinating him, "I killed him first, before he could kill me. He tried twice. Well, I killed him first."

"I got him before he got me," Trump added.

Announcing Khamenei's death, Trump wrote, "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all...