NBC Nightly News S2026E52 - Feb 28 Sat

In a phone call today, President Trump said strikes in Iran have caused "very great losses on their leadership," and that "tremendous damage has been inflicted." He told NBC News' Kristen Welker he already thinks the operation is "a success." NBC News' Courtney Kube reports on the ‘suicide' drones used in the U.S. attack on Iran. In what would be a historic moment in the mideast, President Trump announced Iran's supreme leader has been killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has led Iran – which the U.S. views as one of the world's top sponsors of terrorism – since 1989. NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas reports. Law enforcement is on alert tonight after U.S. strikes on Iran. They are working with intelligence agencies to thwart any potential threats at home, at stepping up patrols at sensitive areas like houses of worship and diplomatic sites. NBC News' Keir Simmons reports from inside Dubai, where there were numerous Iranian strikes. NBC News' Richard Engel, who visited Iran just days ago, reports on what happens next inside Iran - where opponents of the unpopular regime are thrilled that the supreme leader is reportedly dead. NBC News' Valerie Castro reports. In the nearly half century since the revolution in Iran, the region has seen few moments as pivotal as this. In a closing note, Tom Llamas reflects on this new historic chapter after American and Israeli strikes. Analysts tell NBC News' Allie Canal that oil prices could jump as much as $20 a barrel driving gas prices up if there is widespread disruption in the Middle East. As recently as Friday President Trump was talking up efforts to find a negotiated solution to the U.S. tensions with Iran. NBC News' Garrett Haake reports from the White House on the details that led to the unprecedented strike.