President Donald Trump has said he believes Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is likely still alive but may have been seriously affected by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Trump made the remarks during an interview on Fox News’ The Brian Kilmeade Show, where he addressed speculation about the Iranian leader’s condition.
Khamenei has not appeared publicly since he was selected on Sunday by a clerical assembly following the reported death of his father, Iran’s former supreme leader, during the first day of military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
His first message to Iranians since assuming the role was delivered through a television presenter on Thursday rather than through a direct public appearance.
Speaking in the interview, Trump suggested that Khamenei might still be alive but in a weakened condition.
“I think he probably is alive. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form,” Trump said.
In his first reported remarks since becoming supreme leader, Khamenei vowed that Iran would maintain the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global oil shipments.
He also warned neighbouring countries hosting United States military bases that they should shut them down or risk becoming targets of Iranian attacks.
The conflict began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran. Tehran has since responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries that host American military installations.
As the war approaches its second week, the escalating hostilities have reportedly resulted in thousands of casualties and heightened concerns across global financial markets.
Despite growing international calls for restraint, leaders in Iran, Israel and the United States have continued to adopt defiant positions, signalling that the conflict may persist as diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting remain uncertain.
