Trump confirms CIA briefed him Iran's new supreme leader Khamenei is gay — politically explosive in Iran's theocracy
Trump confirmed in a Fox News interview that the CIA briefed him that Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is gay, first reported by the NYPost on March 16. Trump: 'They did say that... I think a lot of people are saying that, which puts him off to a bad start in that particular country.' Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Iran. The CIA assessment reportedly included that Khamenei's slain father Ali feared his son's sexuality made him unsuitable to replace him as supreme leader.
Actor responses
Trump (Fox News): 'They [CIA] did say that [Khamenei is gay], but I don't know if it was only them. I think a lot of people are saying that, which puts him off to a bad start in that particular country.'
Iran has not responded to Trump's confirmation of the CIA assessment. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death under Iranian law. The CIA assessment — that Khamenei's father feared his son's sexuality would make him unsuitable as supreme leader — was first reported March 16 by the NYPost.
Sources