US President Donald Trump has said he believes Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is still alive, despite speculation surrounding his whereabouts following the ongoing conflict.
Trump made the comment on Wednesday during an interview with conservative radio host Glenn Beck, claiming that Khamenei was seriously wounded but had not died.
“I don’t think he’s dead. He was very seriously wounded.”
Khamenei has remained largely out of public view, fueling speculation about his health and whether he is still actively directing Iran’s affairs.
Despite his absence from public appearances, Iranian authorities continue to recognise him as the country’s supreme leader amid the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Trump Says Pressure on Iran Is Working
Trump also maintained that US military and economic pressure was producing results, saying he expected what he described as a major victory.
The US president has repeatedly claimed that his administration has achieved significant progress in confronting Iran, although key issues, including the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, remain unresolved.
Trump again claimed that the strategically important waterway was open and that US ships were moving through it.
“The mines are gone.”
However, Iran has maintained restrictions on shipping through the strait, a critical global energy route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.
Trump also reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains the central objective of US pressure on Tehran.
He described Iran as a country that cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and claimed his administration had already prevented the possibility on two occasions.
The comments come as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high, with the conflict continuing to disrupt regional security and international energy markets.
Source: AFP.
