U.S. and Israel launch a major attack on Iran, Trump says Supreme Leader Khamenei killed - PBS
3/1/2026, 12:00:54 AM
A rapidly unfolding foreign-policy escalation is landing amid fresh political and legal crosscurrents around the Epstein inquiry and public reaction in Washington. Multiple outlets report the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, with PBS reporting Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. Axios reports Trump is also floating potential “off ramps” after the strike. In Washington, WJLA reports protesters gathered near the White House and the Washington Monument following the strikes, while Politico reports new maneuvering around whether Trump should testify in an Epstein probe as the BBC reports Bill Clinton’s testimony denying knowledge of Epstein crimes.
A rapidly unfolding foreign-policy escalation is landing amid fresh political and legal crosscurrents around the Epstein inquiry and public reaction in Washington.
Multiple outlets report the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, with PBS reporting Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. Axios reports Trump is also floating potential “off ramps” after the strike. In Washington, WJLA reports protesters gathered near the White House and the Washington Monument following the strikes, while Politico reports new maneuvering around whether Trump should testify in an Epstein probe as the BBC reports Bill Clinton’s testimony denying knowledge of Epstein crimes.
Key points
- PBS and Politico report the U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on Iran; PBS says Trump stated Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed.
- Axios reports Trump is floating “off ramps” after attacking Iran, signaling a parallel track of de-escalation messaging.
- WJLA reports protests near the White House and Washington Monument in response to the strikes on Iran.
- Politico reports the House Oversight chair said Bill Clinton punted to the committee when asked whether Trump should testify in an Epstein probe.
- BBC reports Bill Clinton was asked about a hot tub photo and testified he knew “nothing” of Epstein crimes.
- The White House posted a readout-style item on Trump gagging with the press at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Why it matters
- The Iran strikes—and Trump’s claimed outcome per PBS—create immediate uncertainty about regional stability and U.S. posture, even as Axios reports talk of “off ramps.”
- Domestic reaction is visible in protests reported by WJLA, suggesting political pressure could build quickly at home.
- The Epstein-related developments (BBC, Politico) keep a separate but politically charged storyline in motion alongside the foreign-policy crisis.
What to watch
- Whether Trump and other officials further define the reported “off ramps” (Axios) and how that messaging aligns with the scale described by PBS and Politico.
- Further public response in Washington following the strikes, including the trajectory of protests reported by WJLA.
- How the House Oversight committee proceeds on testimony questions around the Epstein probe, including whether Trump is asked to testify (Politico).