The United States President Donald Trump has said he believes Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but may be “damaged” following the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Trump made the remarks during an interview on Fox News’ The Brian Kilmeade Show, according to comments published late Thursday.
“I think he probably is alive. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form,” Trump said when asked about the condition of the Iranian leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei emerged as Iran’s new supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on the first day of the war between Iran and the United States and Israel.
Since his selection by a clerical assembly on Sunday, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly. His first remarks were delivered by a television presenter on Thursday.
DDM reported that the Iranian leader vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned neighbouring countries hosting US military bases to shut them down or risk being targeted by Iran.
The strategic waterway is a critical route for global oil shipments, and tensions around the area have already shaken international energy markets.
DDM also reported that the conflict began on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched ‘Operation Fury’ attacks on Iran.
Tehran has since retaliated with strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states that host US military installations.
As the war approaches the two-week mark, the conflict has reportedly killed thousands and rattled global financial markets, with leaders in Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv signalling that the fighting may continue.
