Trump Discloses Condition Of New Iran Supreme Leader

United States President, Donald Trump, has said he believes Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but may have been injured.

Trump made the remark during an interview on Fox News’ The Brian Kilmeade Show, amid growing speculation about the whereabouts and health of the Iranian leader.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was selected as Iran’s supreme leader by a clerical assembly on Sunday.

His first comments since assuming office were instead read by a television presenter on Thursday, fuelling speculation about his physical condition.

Speaking during the interview, Trump suggested that the cleric may have sustained injuries but remains alive.

“I think he probably is (alive). I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Trump said.

The comments were published by Fox News late on Thursday.

Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on the first day of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.

The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iranian targets.

Iran subsequently retaliated with strikes against Israel and several Gulf countries hosting United States military bases.

In his first message after assuming leadership, Khamenei vowed to continue Iran’s confrontation with its adversaries.

He warned that Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and urged neighbouring countries hosting U.S. bases to shut them down.

He cautioned that failure to do so could lead to Iranian military action against those bases.

As the war approached the two-week mark, thousands of people had reportedly been killed while global financial markets continued to react to the escalating tensions.

Despite the mounting casualties and economic disruptions, leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States have maintained defiant positions and vowed to continue the conflict.