US President Donald Trump said Monday (local time) that it is unclear whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive or not, The New York Post reported.
Speaking to reporters as he departed Palm Beach International Airport in South Florida for an event in Memphis, Trump said: “We haven’t heard from the son,” adding: “We don’t know if he’s alive.”
Before speaking to reporters, he announced a five-day pause in fighting with Iran, citing “very productive talks.” He also told reporters that Washington had engaged in discussions that could end the conflict in the Middle East with the man he called Iran’s “most respected and leader.”
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There are numerous claims about Khamenei’s health: Trump
His remarks came amid speculation that Mojtaba Khamenei had been wounded after the US launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in late February.
Citing Trump, The New York Post said: “(Ali Khamenei) has been killed. Khamenei’s son is unavailable. No one knows what happened to him. I can say they didn’t see him there either. Something is going on with him. But regardless, I don’t consider him the real leader, but they have some leaders left.”
According to the ANI news agency, the US president said that there are numerous claims regarding the health of Mojtaba Khamenei, ranging from serious injury to death. When asked, he replied, “A lot of people say he’s severely disfigured.” Trump also added that while many people say Mojtaba Khamenei lost one leg and was very badly injured, others now say he is dead.
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Mojtaba Khamenei will succeed his father as Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled as supreme leader for 36 years before being killed on the first day of airstrikes launched by the US and Israel.
After his appointment as supreme leader was announced, reports about his health circulated online, with many claiming he was believed to have been injured in the attacks that killed Ali Khamenei. However, the extent of his injury and damage remains unclear.
On March 11, The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, reported that Mojtaba suffered a broken foot, a bruised eye and facial lacerations. On March 12, a report in The Sun stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was in a coma and undergoing treatment at Tehran’s Sina University Hospital. Citing an Israeli source, The Sun reported that one or both of his legs had been severed and that his liver or stomach had also ruptured.
Since being named supreme leader, Mojtaba has issued only written statements that have been broadcast or read by state television stations, further fueling speculation about his condition after he missed his own succession rally.
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US and Iran conflicting messages on peace talks
Despite the US president announcing a five-day pause in fighting citing negotiations, Iran’s position was different and the leaders of the Islamic Republic denied talks with Washington. Fighting continued on Tuesday, with both Israel and Iran firing a barrage of rockets targeting civilian infrastructure, according to a Reuters report.
