U.S. President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive, raising questions about the status of Iran’s leadership amid the ongoing war.
In comments reported by NBC News, Trump said he has not seen any public proof that the Iranian leader is alive.
“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” Trump said.
Trump added that he had heard rumors regarding the condition of the Iranian leader, suggesting uncertainty about his health following recent military strikes.
“I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender,” the president said.
The remarks come as Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being appointed Supreme Leader following the death of his father, former leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the early phase of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The absence of a public appearance has fueled speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health and whereabouts, with some reports suggesting he may have been injured during the initial strikes that targeted senior Iranian leadership.
Iranian officials, however, have pushed back on these claims. Tehran has insisted that the new Supreme Leader is alive and functioning, dismissing speculation about his condition as inaccurate.
The uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s status comes as the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to escalate, with strikes targeting military infrastructure and retaliatory missile and drone attacks spreading across the region.
Despite the speculation, Iranian authorities have released written statements attributed to the new Supreme Leader, though he has yet to appear on video or in public since taking office, further fueling questions about his condition.
Trump’s remarks reflect the ongoing information war and uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership structure as the conflict continues.
