Iran Reveals Details About the Supreme Leader's Health Status

Iranian Foreign Minister: New Supreme Leader’s Health “No Issues at All”

Xinhua, Tehran, March 14 — Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian said on March 14 in an interview with US MS Now news channel that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani, is in good health.

According to reports from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, in response to US officials’ comments about Movahedi Kermani, Abdollahian stated that he has issued a statement and will continue to perform his duties according to the constitution.

Abdollahian said that the US claims Iranian officials are hiding in shelters, but the whole world saw that on the 13th, senior officials such as the Iranian president, the Islamic Consultative Assembly speaker, and the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council went among demonstrators to participate in public activities supporting the Palestinian liberation movement.

He emphasized that the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran does not depend on any individual or specific group, and everything in Iran is orderly.

Media: Trump Refuses to Initiate Ceasefire Negotiations with Iran

Xinhua, Washington, March 14 — According to an exclusive report by Reuters on March 14, US President Donald Trump has rejected proposals from some Middle Eastern countries to start ceasefire negotiations with Iran.

The report said that Oman and Egypt, which have been mediating between the US and Iran before the outbreak of hostilities, attempted to reopen communication channels but made no progress.

A senior White House official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Reuters, “He (Trump) is not interested in this right now. We will continue with our mission. Maybe someday there will be talks, but not now.” The official said that the US’s current focus is on continuing the war to further weaken Iran’s military capabilities.

The report noted that some US officials and Trump’s advisors hold two opposing views on the conflict: one advocates for ending it quickly to avoid soaring oil prices that could harm the Republican Party in the midterm elections; the other supports maintaining the offensive to destroy Iran’s missile program and ensure it does not acquire nuclear weapons.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, during which Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and several high-ranking military and political officials were killed in airstrikes. Iran retaliated against targets including Israel and US military bases in the Middle East.

In an interview earlier this month, Trump claimed that Iran’s new leadership wanted to talk to him, and he agreed to dialogue. However, on March 3, he posted on social media that Iran wanted to negotiate, “Too late.” On the night of March 13, Trump again posted on social media saying Iran wanted to reach an agreement, “But I don’t accept!”

Reuters pointed out that Trump often changes his foreign policy stance abruptly, so it’s possible he might attempt to restart diplomatic negotiations.

Source: Comprehensive report from Xinhua