Trump Claims Iran's New Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Wounded in US-Israeli Attack
United States President Donald Trump has expressed his belief that Iran’s newly elected Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has sustained injuries. Trump made this statement amid speculation about Mojtaba’s condition, which was reported to have deteriorated from wounds suffered in a US-Israeli attack in late February.
Trump’s latest comments regarding Mojtaba’s condition were made during an interview with Fox News journalist Brian Kilmeade, which aired on Thursday 12 March. The earlier US-Israeli attack had killed Mojtaba’s father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other family members.
“I think he is injured, but I think he may still be alive in some capacity, you know,” Trump said in the interview.
Meanwhile, Mojtaba has not appeared publicly in Iran since being selected as Supreme Leader of the Shia nation. His first statement as Supreme Leader was delivered in written form and read aloud by an Iranian state television presenter on Thursday 12 March local time.
In his initial public statement, Mojtaba swore to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed. He also called on neighbouring countries to shut down US military bases in their territories or risk becoming targets of Tehran.
An unnamed Iranian official stated that Mojtaba sustained minor injuries, although he continues to carry out his duties. The Iranian state television also referred to Mojtaba as a “war-wounded veteran of the Ramadan war”. However, the specific nature of Mojtaba’s injuries was not detailed.
Iran’s Ambassador to Cyprus stated that Mojtaba had been wounded in the US-Israeli attack on 28 February. Meanwhile, Yousef Pezeshkian, an Iranian government adviser and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, claimed that Mojtaba is in good health.
Trump previously stated that the war against Iran is progressing very rapidly. He praised the US military.
“The situation with Iran is moving very fast. They are doing it very well, our military is unmatched,” Trump said.
“They (Iran) are truly a nation of terror and hate, and they are paying a heavy price now,” he added.
Trump made this statement after Mojtaba released his first public comments. However, Trump did not directly respond to Mojtaba’s statement, in which he swore to seek revenge and vowed to continue fighting against the US and Israel.
In recent days, Trump has offered various signals about progress in the war against Iran. He previously boasted that the United States has defeated Iran.