<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="" title="Donald Trump"><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span> has weighed in on the wellbeing of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/mojtaba-khamenei-son-of-irans-supreme-leader-has-been-named-his-successor-iranian-state-tv-says/2af18a14-e341-4b8d-9e30-e3382d346e47" rel="" target="" title="new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei"><span>new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei</span></a><span> amid growing questions about his health and whereabouts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Khamenei has not been seen since he was elevated to the top role following his father's assassination, but </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attack-iran-new-supreme-leader-ayatollah-mojtaba-khamenei-issues-first-message/77821e30-da6c-4ce3-96ff-23104e7f65d8" rel="" target="" title="issued a statement overnight"><span>issued a statement overnight</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Speaking to Fox Radio following that statement, the US president was asked if he thought Khamenei was actually alive.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-conservative-commentators-lash-donald-trumps-decision-to-attack-iran/ba98ba21-78ba-428b-bfa9-ad23844cba82"><strong><span>Conservative commentators lash Donald Trump's decision to attack Iran</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think he probably is," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think he is damaged, but I think he's probably alive in some form, you know."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The supreme leader's statement was read out on Iranian state television by a news anchor.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/iran-latest-donald-trump-is-ayatollah-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-what-condition-is-he-in-middle-east-news/df7e5635-182d-4633-8c18-46b77b0d9f87" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs," the statement addressed to the Iranian people read.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The popular demand is to continue our effective defence and make the enemy regret! The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must continue to be used."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Israeli intelligence has said they believe </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-launch-attack-on-iran-live-updates-us-begins-major-combat-operations--israel-launches-attack-on-irans-capital/2a7ce3d3-dbba-413c-9053-397468cc6bec" rel="" target="" title="Khamenei was injured in the bomb strike"><span>Khamenei was injured in the bomb strike</span></a><span> that killed his father, the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-strike-on-iran-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei/14563354-250d-40b4-8330-645799b4e899" rel="" target="" title="Ayatollah Ali Khamenei"><span>Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This was backed up by comments made by Iran's ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have heard that he was injured in his legs and hand and arm," Salarian said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I think he is in the hospital because he is injured."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The strike also killed the new supreme leader's wife, sister, brother-in-law, infant niece and son.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-attacks-iran-donald-trump-iran-latest-previous-comments-on-iran-war-barack-obama-jd-vance-kamala-harris/86dc4c3e-43fd-4ba4-ad86-ec1da170f16b"><strong><span>Trump's past comments on Iran come back to haunt him</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was widely reported his mother was also killed, but </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/iran" rel="" target="" title="Iranian state media"><span>Iranian state media</span></a><span> denied the claims overnight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There is good reason why the Iranian regime would seek to keep Khamenei's whereabouts and wellbeing under wraps.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US and Israeli governments have indicated they will continue their military strikes, including another decapitation strike against Iran's leaders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And if he is in a serious condition, the regime would still want to project strength from their leader.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani made it clear Khamenei's condition "has not been reported as critical".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-iran-attacks-who-is-reza-pahlavi-shah-replacement-leader-ayatollah-khamenei-who-will-lead-iran-now/8d5b6cb3-59bf-4345-a66c-56a869ccd420" rel="" target="" title="Son of ousted king positions himself to take over in Iran"><strong><span>Son of ousted king positions himself to take over in Iran</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Despite this incident, he continues to provide full authoritative guidance and oversight of the operations, and all actions and attacks are carried out with his direct permission and orders," Larijani said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-iran-attacks-who-is-reza-pahlavi-shah-replacement-leader-ayatollah-khamenei-who-will-lead-iran-now/8d5b6cb3-59bf-4345-a66c-56a869ccd420" rel="" target="" title="crown prince and leading opposition figure Reza Pahlavi"><span>crown prince and leading opposition figure Reza Pahlavi</span></a><span>'s response to the ayatollah's statement came with some doubt.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Whether it was Mojtaba Khamenei or his IRGC handlers, the first statement from the current regime's new leader confirms what the Iranian people have known all along: the Islamic Republic is incapable of change. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Terror and repression are in its DNA. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This latest statement promises only to continue the same insatiable bloodlust and chaos that has held our nation and the world hostage for decades."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-taco-wall-street-chickens-out-financial-market-usa-news/a92a416d-13cd-49cf-96ac-62007f7cf5a2"><strong><span>The four-letter acronym that could pull Trump out of Iran</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> 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