Osama bin Laden's son is reportedly dead after a U.S.-supported operation

U.S. officials have confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden's son and likely successor, The New York Times reports.

The U.S. State Department announced a $1 million reward for information on Hamza bin Laden's whereabouts as recently as February, but has since learned that he was killed before that, two officials tell the Times. "The United States government had a role in the operation" that killed the presumed successor of al Qaeda, the Times continues, though "it was not clear precisely what that role was."

NBC News first reported bin Laden's death via three U.S. officials, but said it was "unclear if the U.S. has confirmed his death." "The officials would not provide details of where or when Hamza bin Laden died or if the U.S. played a role in his death," NBC News continued. When asked about bin Laden's death on Wednesday, President Trump said "I don't want to comment on that."

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Bin Laden was "being prepared for a leadership role in the organization his father founded," counterterror expert and former FBI agent Ali Soufan said in a 2017 article. He had also "threatened attacks against the United States and allies," the Justice Department said in its call for information about him.