Mojtaba Khamenei 'safe and sound', says Iranian President's son amid reports of injury

Reports suggesting that Irans Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured during the ongoing military strikes in Iran were dismissed on Tuesday after a statement from the son of the countryrsquos president confirmed that he was safe reported news agency ANIYousef Pezeshkian said in a message posted on the messaging platform Telegram that Mojtaba Khamenei was healthy and there is no problem countering earlier reports that claimed he had been wounded in recent attacks reported ANIPresidentrsquos son dismisses injury reportsThe clarification came after media reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had sustained injuries during the first day of Israeli strikes on IranI heard news about Mr Mojtaba being injured I asked friends who had contact They said thank God he is healthy and there is no problem Yousef Pezeshkian said in his message reported ANIEarlier a report by The New York Times had suggested that Khamenei had been injured and had avoided public appearances for security reasons The report cited three Iranian sources who claimed senior officials had informed them that he was wounded during the initial phase of the Israeli operation on February 28However Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed any such injuriesConflict enters Day 12 with rising tensionsThe clarification comes as the West Asia conflict entered its 12th day with hostilities between Iran and the United StatesIsrael alliance continuing to escalateAccording to maritime authorities a cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz resulting in a fire onboardThe incident forced the crew to evacuate the vessel and request assistance according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade OperationsIran has previously threatened to block the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict raising concerns about disruptions to global energy suppliesTrump warns Iran over possible mines in shipping laneAmid the escalating tensions US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran urging the country not to place mines in the Strait of HormuzIn a statement Trump said that if Iran had deployed mines in the waterway and failed to remove them immediately the United States would respond with significant military actionHe also warned that American forces would target any vessels attempting to mine the strategic shipping route which handles a large share of global oil and gas shipmentsIran accuses US and Israel of targeting civiliansMeanwhile Iranrsquos ambassador to the United Nations AmirSaeid Iravani accused the United States and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure during the military operationsSpeaking at the United Nations Iravani alleged that residential areas and essential civilian facilities had been struck during the conflictHe claimed that the attacks had resulted in the deaths of more than 1300 civilians and damage to thousands of buildings including residential homes commercial establishments medical facilities and schoolsIran urges UN to intervene in conflictThe Iranian envoy also called on the United Nations Security Council to take action and address what Tehran described as violations of international lawHe warned that if the international community remained silent similar attacks could occur against other countries in the futureIt is deeply regrettable that the Security Council continues to remain silent despite its responsibility to maintain international peace and security Iravani saidCivilian toll and energy concerns riseAs the conflict enters its second week both sides have hardened their positions with continued strikes and counterstrikes reported across the regionThe fighting has intensified concerns about civilian casualties regional stability and disruptions to global energy supplies especially as tensions continue to affect shipping routes in the Persian GulfWith hostilities showing no immediate signs of easing international observers warn that the conflict could have farreaching consequences for global security and energy marketsWith inputs from ANI