Trump further claimed that certain individuals within Iran are willing to negotiate with the US Government,
By Kehinde Okeowo
United States — President Donald Trump has suggested that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is either dead or “injured”.
He made these remarks on Monday while fielding questions from reporters during an event at the White House.
According to Trump, some sources are asserting that Mojtaba has already passed away, while others believe he is critically ill in hospital with a severely injured leg.
“Many people are claiming that he’s been severely disfigured,” Trump told journalists. He added, “They’re suggesting that he has lost his leg and has been gravely injured. Others are claiming he’s dead.”
The US President also highlighted the Ayatollah’s absence from the public eye since he assumed the role of Iran’s Supreme Leader eight days ago.
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Trump further claimed that certain individuals within Iran are willing to negotiate with the US Government, though he admitted he does not yet know their identities.
“We are uncertain about who their leader is,” Trump informed reporters. “We have individuals eager to negotiate. We have no knowledge of who they are.”
Contrasting the new leader with his predecessor, Trump stated, “[The father] would spew hate from his chair,” but noted of Mojtaba, “this one we haven’t seen at all.”
The new Supreme Leader’s father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several close relatives, perished during earlier US-Israeli strikes.
However, despite Trump’s claims regarding his health, Mojtaba reportedly issued a statement last week in which he pledged to avenge the deaths of his family members, specifically his father.
