U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has heard reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may no longer be alive but cautioned that such reports could also be rumors.
In a statement, Trump claimed the United States had inflicted a complete military and economic defeat on Iran during the ongoing confrontation. He said American forces had carried out devastating strikes on Kharg Island, asserting that much of the strategic island had been destroyed.
Trump added that additional strikes on the island could be carried out “a few more times for recreation,” while emphasizing that key oil infrastructure there had not been deliberately targeted.
The U.S. president also said it was still unclear whether Iran had laid naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime oil transit routes.
He called on countries that import oil through the strait to ensure the security of the passage themselves, adding that the United States would cooperate with them in safeguarding the sea lane.
According to Trump, ensuring safe navigation in the strategic waterway should be a “team effort,” expressing hope that the situation would eventually move toward global peace and stability.
The president further claimed that Iran was seeking a deal to end the conflict but said the conditions presented by Tehran so far were not acceptable.
A day earlier, Trump had said that on his directive the United States Central Command carried out what he described as the most powerful strikes in the modern history of the Middle East, targeting Iranian military positions and facilities on Kharg Island.
He said he had chosen not to order the destruction of the island’s core oil infrastructure for certain reasons but warned that the decision could be reconsidered immediately if Iran or any other actor attempted to interfere with free and secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
