President Donald Trump has expressed uncertainty regarding the status of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that it is unclear whether he is deceased or alive. Mojtaba, who recently succeeded his father following his death in US-Israeli airstrikes that triggered conflict in the Middle East, issued his first statement last Thursday but has not been publicly seen or heard from since then.
Trump mentioned rumors suggesting that Mojtaba may be injured or deceased, highlighting the unusual absence of any public appearances. Comparing the situation to the past visibility of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Iranian television, Trump noted the lack of information on Mojtaba’s condition.
During a White House briefing, Trump shared, “Some people are saying he’s badly disfigured. They’re saying he lost his leg, one leg, and he’s been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he’s dead – nobody is saying he’s 100 per cent healthy. He hasn’t spoken.”
Following the initial airstrikes that targeted Iranian leadership, including the killing of Ali Khamenei, Trump expressed the challenge faced by the US in identifying who to engage with from the Iranian regime. He emphasized the lack of clarity on the current leadership status in Iran, stating, “We don’t even know their leaders – all of their leaders are dead as far as we know. We don’t even know who we’re dealing with. We don’t know who their leader is.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, asserted that the Supreme Leader is in good health and actively managing the situation, potentially being in a secure, undisclosed location to evade threats. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei is likely wounded and disfigured, raising questions about his legitimacy and expressing skepticism about his absence from public view.
In a statement relayed by state television, Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to seek vengeance for the deaths of Iranian leaders, including his father, and all Iranian citizens killed in the conflict. He affirmed continued attacks on Gulf Arab nations and the potential disruption of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to pressure the US and Israel, calling for the closure of US bases in the region.
As the situation unfolds, uncertainties persist regarding the status and whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, with conflicting reports and speculation surrounding the new Supreme Leader’s condition.