Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 18th March 2026, 6:09 PM
US President Donald Trump has expressed doubts over whether Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump remarked, “We do not know if he is alive.”
He further elaborated, “No one is saying he is 100 percent well. I would say no one has seen him, which is unusual. Many reports suggest he has been severely disfigured. Some say he has lost a leg and is badly injured. Others even claim he may be dead.”
Earlier, in an interview with NBC News, Trump had stated that he had seen no clear evidence to confirm that the 56-year-old leader was alive. According to Trump, Mojtaba’s first communication after assuming power was not a public appearance but a written statement.
Following Trump’s comments, multiple media outlets have reported that Mojtaba may have suffered serious injuries in an airstrike, possibly resulting in the loss of a leg and severe damage to his abdomen or liver.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously hinted that the new Iranian leader had been injured and had not appeared publicly since the incident.
Since assuming the position of supreme religious leader earlier this month, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained entirely out of public view, fueling speculation both within Iran and internationally regarding his health and whereabouts.
According to reports cited by The New York Times, Iranian officials have suggested he sustained injuries in an initial attack, possibly affecting one of his legs. Meanwhile, Iranian state television referred to him as an “injured hero” amid ongoing conflicts but provided no further details. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, have dismissed rumours of incapacity, stating that the new supreme leader is in good health.
| Source | Reported Details | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump, US President | Uncertain if alive; reports of severe injuries, possible leg loss | Emphasises lack of public sightings |
| NBC News Interview | No clear evidence of being alive; first post-power statement written | Highlights absence of public appearance |
| US Defense Officials | Possibly injured in airstrike; not seen publicly | Suggests ongoing monitoring of situation |
| Iranian State TV | Termed “injured hero” | No further details disclosed |
| Iranian Officials | No problem with leader’s health; denies incapacity | Official reassurance amid speculation |
| New York Times | Initial airstrike may have injured leg; possible abdominal/liver damage | Cites unnamed Iranian officials |
Analysts note that the absence of public appearances by Mojtaba Khamenei has intensified uncertainty over Iran’s leadership during a volatile period in the region. While some international sources suggest severe injuries, Iranian authorities continue to assert that their supreme leader remains fully capable of performing his duties.
The situation underscores both the opacity surrounding Iran’s top leadership and the geopolitical implications of any potential incapacitation, as global attention remains fixed on Tehran’s internal developments and the broader security landscape.
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