Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has stated that he thinks Iran’s recently installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but may have been hurt.
In the midst of mounting rumors over the Iranian leader’s whereabouts and health, Trump made the statement in an interview on Fox News’ The Brian Kilmeade Show.
Since being chosen by a clerical assembly on Sunday to be Iran’s supreme leader, Khamenei has not been seen in public.
Instead, a television host read his first remarks since taking office on Thursday, sparking rumors about his physical state.
Trump implied in the interview that the cleric might have been hurt but is still alive.
I believe he is most likely (living). Trump remarked, “I believe he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know.”
Fox News released the remarks late on Thursday.
After his father, Ali Khamenei, was allegedly assassinated on the opening day of the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of supreme leader of Iran.
Israel and the United States attacked Iranian targets on February 28, sparking the start of the conflict.
Iran then attacked Israel and a number of Gulf nations that housed US military installations in retaliation.
Khamenei promised to keep Iran in conflict with its enemies in his first speech after taking office.
He called on neighboring nations that house American bases to close them and issued a warning that Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Iranian military action against those bases could result from failing to comply, he said.
Thousands of people were reportedly dead as the conflict neared its two-week mark, and the world’s financial markets continued to respond to the rising tensions.
Leaders of Iran, Israel, and the United States have maintained uncompromising attitudes and pledged to prolong the battle despite the growing number of casualties and economic damage.
