Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 13: US President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that Iran has positioned around 1,200 missiles targeting several Middle Eastern countries, raising alarm amid escalating regional tensions. Speaking on Fox’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump alleged that Tehran had been preparing for military dominance in the region.

“Iran had thousands of missiles pointed at all these Middle Eastern countries for the last four months,” Trump said. “They were going to take over the Middle East, control UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. They have 1,200 missiles pointed at these countries.”

The remarks followed a statement from Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who warned the nation would not “refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs.”

The statement came after reports that Khamenei may have been injured and possibly left in a coma following US-Israeli strikes on a Tehran compound on February 28 that killed his father. Trump suggested Khamenei is likely still alive, though “damaged.”

On maritime security, Trump urged vessels to continue passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. “Go through the strait of Hormuz and show some guts. There’s nothing to be afraid of. They have no Navy and we sunk all their ships,” he said.

Trump’s comments come amid growing uncertainty over Iran’s leadership and heightened tensions following recent military exchanges in the region.