Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei Is Still Alive
US President Donald Trump has said he believes Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei remains alive, despite months of speculation about his condition following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump claimed Khamenei was seriously wounded during the February attacks but said he did not believe the Iranian leader had died.
Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei Is Seriously Wounded
Speaking during an interview with US radio host Glenn Beck, Trump said Khamenei had suffered extensive injuries to the left side of his body, including his arm and leg.
Trump did not disclose the intelligence underpinning his assessment, and Iran has not publicly confirmed the extent of Khamenei’s reported injuries.
The US President suggested that Iranian officials continue to behave as though Khamenei remains involved in major decisions, pointing to references by negotiators to consulting the Supreme Leader before finalising positions.
Mystery Continues Over Iran Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the elder Khamenei was killed during US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
The younger Khamenei has remained largely absent from public view since assuming Iran’s highest political and religious office, fuelling speculation about whether he remains capable of exercising full authority.
His prolonged absence has also drawn attention to the growing influence of senior figures from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps within the country’s leadership structure.
Trump Maintains Pressure on Iran
Trump also reiterated that Washington’s military and economic campaign against Tehran was succeeding, while maintaining that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The remarks come as the US intensifies sanctions against Iran under its latest economic pressure campaign and continues efforts to restrict Tehran’s oil revenues and international financial links.
