United States President Donald Trump has claimed the country’s foreign intelligence service told him Iran’s new leader « is gay. »
Asked during an interview with Fox News whether the CIA told Mr Trump that Ayatollah Jr. is gay, Mr Trump said: « 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. »
Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader of Iran after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by US and Israeli forces at the start of the conflict in the Middle East. The US and Israel carried out joint strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran has retaliated by hitting key targets across the Middle East, plunging the region into chaos.
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Ayatollah Jr. was appointed was selected to lead the country by top clerics in a system where homosexuality is punishable by death.
According to Fair Planet, a global non-profit social focussed on report on human rights and environmental justice: « Homosexuality is illegal in Iran and carries severe punishment under the country’s Islamic penal code.
« Consensual same-sex sexual activity is considered a crime, and those convicted can face imprisonment, flogging, and even the death penalty.
« The Iranian government has justified its stance on homosexuality by citing religious and cultural reasons, claiming that homosexuality is a sin and goes against Islamic values. »
Mr Trump said during the interview, while referring to the « Gays for Palestine » movement, « They kill gays. They kill them instantly. They throw them off buildings. »
He went on to say that he, in fact, polled « very well » with the LGBTQ community – even pointing out that the song he used for rallies, ‘YCMA’ by the Village People, is a ‘gay national anthem’.
« No Republican’s ever gotten the gay vote like I did and I’m very proud of it, » he said.
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