Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Probably Alive’ As Reports Claim Iran’s New Supreme Leader In Coma

<p>As speculation continues to grow over the health of Iran&rsquo;s new Supreme Leader, US President Donald Trump said he believes Mojtaba Khamenei is likely still alive but may have suffered serious injuries.</p> <p>Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump was asked whether he believes Mojtaba, who assumed leadership after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel strikes, is alive.</p> <p>&ldquo;I think he probably is,&rdquo; Trump said during the Brian Kilmeade Show. &ldquo;I think he is damaged, but I think he&rsquo;s probably alive in some form, you know,&rdquo; he added.</p> <p>Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance ever since the conflict started, fuelling speculation about his condition and his ability to lead Iran as the new supreme leader during the ongoing war.</p> <h3>Reports Claim Iranian Leader May Be Critically Injured</h3> <p>Trump&rsquo;s remarks came amid media reports suggesting that the 56-year-old cleric may have been seriously wounded in the airstrike that killed his father on February 28.</p> <p>According to a report by The Sun, Khamenei is in a coma and lost at least one leg after being critically injured in the attack.</p> <p>The report also claimed the Iranian leader &ldquo;lost at least one leg and has also suffered serious stomach or liver damage.&rdquo; The report said he is currently being treated under heavy security at Tehran's Sina University Hospital.</p> <p>&ldquo;One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,&rdquo; a source told the newspaper.</p> <h3>Iranian Officials Say He Is Injured But Safe</h3> <p>Iranian officials have acknowledged that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries in the strike but maintained that he is safe and recovering.</p> <p>A report by The Guardian, citing Tehran&rsquo;s ambassador to Cyprus, noted that the cleric was injured in the attack and described him as fortunate to have survived the bombardment.</p> <p>&ldquo;I have heard that he was injured in his legs and hand and arm I think he is in the hospital because he is injured,&rdquo; Diplomat Alireza Salarian said.</p> <p>Explaining why the 56-year-old leader has not appeared in public or delivered any statements since succeeding his father, he added, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think he is comfortable (in any condition) to give a speech.&rdquo;</p> <h3>First Statement Broadcast On State Television</h3> <p>Iranian state television has tried to signal continuity in leadership by airing what it described as Mojtaba Khamenei&rsquo;s first message since taking charge.</p> <p>The statement, however, was not delivered by Khamenei himself and was instead read out by a news presenter.</p> <p>In the message, Khamenei warned that Iran would retaliate for those killed during the conflict and issued a threat against US military bases in the region.</p> <p>&ldquo;All US bases should be immediately closed in the region, otherwise they will be attacked,&rdquo; Khamenei said.</p> <p>He also warned that Iran would demand compensation for the war and could target foreign assets if its demands are ignored.</p> <p>&ldquo;We will take war reparations from the enemy for the war it imposed on us. If the enemy refuses, we will seize as much of its assets as we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of its property,&rdquo; he said.</p>

from Epstein’s Ex-Accountant Says He Saw No Abuse, Regrets ‘Unknowingly’ Assisting Financier https://ift.tt/dlPgeBT
via IFTTT