Trump Claims Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Is 'Not Alive'
US President Donald Trump has made the startling assertion that Iran's newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "not alive," immediately adding that if he is indeed living, he should surrender. This speculation emerged during an extensive phone call with NBC News on Saturday, following Khamenei's unexpected failure to appear on camera Thursday to deliver his first statement as the nation's leader.
Unverified Reports of Severe Injuries
Trump's comments come amid unverified reports from anonymous sources suggesting Khamenei, 56, sustained severe injuries in an alleged bombing. According to reports in both The Sun and the Mirror, an anonymous source within Tehran claimed Khamenei lost at least one leg and suffered significant abdominal or liver injuries during a strike attributed to the U.S. or Israel.
The source, who expressed fear for their safety, managed to bypass Iran's widespread internet shutdown to provide detailed information about the new leader's alleged medical condition, treatment, location, and security arrangements. They indicated he is receiving care at Sina University Hospital in the city's historic quarter, where an area has been cordoned off and heavily guarded.
Conflicting Statements and Ongoing Uncertainty
While Iranian state television has acknowledged that Khamenei sustained injuries, these claims cannot be independently verified due to the internet blackout. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Türkiye's foreign minister Hakan Fidan stated he is unaware of the severity of the wounds but confirmed, "what we know is that he is alive and functioning."
This update follows hours after Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi asserted there was "no problem" with the Islamic republic's new leader, contradicting earlier U.S. officials' claims of his injury. Yesterday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the supreme leader as "wounded and likely disfigured," adding to the confusion surrounding Khamenei's status.
Trump elaborated during the NBC call, stating, "I don't know if he's even alive. So far, nobody's been able to show him. I'm hearing he's not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that's surrender." These remarks highlight the ongoing tensions and lack of clarity in US-Iran relations, with the situation remaining fluid as more details potentially emerge.
