Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues threat to US despite ‘being in coma’

Iran’s new Supreme Leader has released his first statement since coming to power despite recent reports claiming he is in a coma.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was reported to be in intensive care at the Sina University Hospital in the city’s historic quarter surrounded by security officials. Shortly after reports of his injuries emerged, Iranian state media announced that the new leader would address the nation.

Shortly after noon, Iranian state TV said: “In a few minutes, the first message of His Eminence the Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, will be published.”

The statement said all US bases in the region should immediately be closed, warning they would otherwise be attacked. It also said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would continue as a way to pressure the US and Israel.

“We send a message to the leaders of the region and emphasize that we are going to have good relations with the countries around us,” Mojtaba Khamenei said.

“But the existence of the US bases in some of these countries and usage of those bases to attack Iran is not benefiting the region and they must be closed. As we said, we are not an enemy of the countries around us, and we are only targeting the bases of those Americans.”

The statement also thanked “the people of Iran from all walks of life who stood against the enemy”. The Supreme Leader sent condolences to those who have “lost their loved ones during the war” and said damages would be compensated for. “The crime against humanity and against the children… will not be ignored,” the statement added.

It follows reports that emerged on Thursday morning claiming Khamenei had been seriously injured. Citing a source in the Iranian capital, Tehran, The Sun reported the new leader is currently in intensive care at Sina University Hospital in the city’s historic quarter. Security forces have reportedly sealed off part of the building.

The insider, who is said to have been in contact with a dissident based in London, is not a medic but reportedly knows members of the hospital’s trauma team. Hospital staff reportedly told him that Khamenei was in a “very serious” condition, had lost at least one leg and was in a coma.