Trump says Iran conflict could end soon, claims Khamenei sustained severe injuries
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Washington: US President Donald Trump has said the ongoing military conflict with Iran may conclude “fairly soon”, while claiming that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but has suffered serious injuries.
Speaking to conservative radio host Glenn Beck, Trump said he did not believe Khamenei had been killed. He alleged that the Iranian leader had sustained extensive injuries to the left side of his body.
“I don't think he's dead. He was very seriously wounded. The left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing, he was very seriously wounded. But I don't think he's dead,” Trump said, without providing evidence for the claim.
Trump said Iranian authorities were still referring to the need to seek Khamenei’s approval on key decisions, which he cited as an indication that the supreme leader was alive.
He also claimed that US forces had destroyed 22 boats in overnight operations associated with the blockade against Iran. Trump praised the Navy and the armed forces for their performance during the campaign.
The President said Washington expected to secure a significant outcome from the conflict in the near future. He linked the operation to Iran’s alleged weakening, claiming that its naval and air capabilities had been eliminated and that the country was facing mounting economic hardship.
Trump said Iran’s military personnel were reportedly facing payment issues, while inflation had risen sharply. He argued that these conditions could create an opening for an early end to the conflict.
Responding to a question on the absence of a major public uprising in Iran, Trump said people were deterred by the threat of violence from security forces.
“And it's very hard to protest when you have people that are willing to shoot you and kill you. And that's why they're not protesting,” he said.
On shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the waterway remained operational despite isolated attacks. He claimed US forces had cleared mines from the area and said oil shipments were continuing through the key maritime route.
Trump again maintained that denying Iran access to nuclear weapons was the main objective of the US operation. He accused Tehran of posing a threat if it were allowed to acquire such capability.
The President acknowledged that the conflict had disrupted energy markets and led to a rise in prices. However, he said the military action would end soon and fuel prices would fall.
Trump also defended his decision during his first term to pull the US out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
(Inputs from IANS)