U.S. President Donald Trump has said he believes Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive but may be seriously injured following recent military strikes on Iran. Trump made the remark in a radio interview, noting the leader’s lack of recent public appearances and the intensity of attacks on Iranian leadership structures. 

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, earlier this month after his death in a joint U.S.–Israel operation. Since taking power, the new Supreme Leader has not been seen in public, and Iranian state media have released written statements instead of video or live messages. 

Trump said he thinks the current situation suggests Khamenei is “probably alive in some form” but may have been “damaged” in the violence that reshaped Iran’s leadership and triggered global tension. The unusual choice of words has fueled speculation about the extent of his injuries and the opacity surrounding his exact condition. 

The comments come amid ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel, with major strikes and counter‑strikes continuing. World leaders and analysts are watching closely, as Iran’s response and the stability of its leadership may influence wider Middle East tensions.