US President Donald Trump said that he does not believe Mojtaba Khamenei is dead, but asserted that the Iranian leader was very seriously wounded, during an interview on The Glenn Beck Program.
“I don't think he's dead. He was very seriously wounded," Trump said. “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 that Iranian officials continue to speak as though they are consulting with Khamenei, including seeking his approval for decisions.
“And if he is, they're putting on a pretty good show because they talk about, you know, going back to talk to him all the time, you know, to get a final blessing on things," the President said.
Trump also expressed distrust toward the Iranian leadership when discussing the prospects of reaching agreements with Tehran.
“You make a deal with them. It's like not the most honorable group. I will tell you that," he said.
Turning to ongoing US military operations, Trump said American forces had destroyed 22 boats overnight and praised the performance of the US Navy and military in enforcing the blockade.
“We took out 22 boats last night. We have people coming in the blockade. Our Navy has been unbelievable. Our military has been unbelievable, the combination," Trump said.
The President also emphasized what he described as the dramatic strengthening of the United States' financial position over the past year and a half, arguing that American economic strength was contributing to the military campaign.
“Our financial strength, we built it up so much like you wouldn't believe in a year and a half. Our financial strength is unbelievable," he said. “And those things are going toward a very big victory."
Trump concluded by comparing the current campaign with the US victory in Venezuela and predicting that another major victory was approaching.
“We had the victory in Venezuela, and we're going to have a big victory here very soon," Trump declared.