WASHINGTON, Mar 13: US President Donald Trump said he believes Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but may have been injured during the early days of the war between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said he believed Khamenei had survived but was likely wounded.
“I think he probably is alive. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form,” he said.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being selected on Sunday by Iran’s clerical leadership body, the Assembly of Experts, to succeed his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening strikes of the war.
Iranian officials have confirmed that their new leader suffered light injuries though is fine overall, and working as his normal self. His first remarks were delivered on Thursday through a message read by a television presenter rather than in a video appearance.
In the released statement, Mojtaba vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned neighbouring countries hosting US military bases that they should shut those facilities or risk becoming targets.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and on Gulf states hosting American bases, greatly heightening tensions and further undermining regional security.
Two weeks in so far, the war in Iran has led to thousands getting killed and global markets going downhill, shaken by fears of prolonged fighting and disruptions to oil supplies.
Despite rising costs and international concern, leaders in Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv have indicated the conflict is far from over, with each side vowing to continue military operations.
(UNI)
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