Trump says Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded
US President Donald Trump said that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is, in his view, alive but sustained serious injuries during the February strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. Trump said this in a conversation with conservative commentator Glenn Beck, Euronews reports.
Trump's statement
According to the US president, Khamenei sustained serious injuries to the left side of his body, including his arm and leg. Trump said that he does not consider him dead, although, in his assessment, he was very seriously wounded.
Trump added that he draws this conclusion from the behavior of Iranian negotiators. According to him, they speak of the need to return to Khamenei to obtain final approval for decisions.
Absence of public appearances
Iran's Assembly of Experts elected 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei an ayatollah on March 8, several days after his father was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
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Since then, Khamenei has not appeared in public, in photographs, or in verified video or audio recordings. He was also absent from his father's funeral ceremonies in July.
The Atlantic magazine, citing unnamed sources close to the Iranian government, reported that speculation about Khamenei's fate was spreading in Tehran. A relative of Khamenei and former official Mohammad Hossein Khoshvaght told the publication that fewer than five people had met with him since March because of security measures. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had previously said that communication with Khamenei had become extremely difficult.
Unconfirmed information about his health
US media previously wrote, citing unnamed Iranian officials, that Khamenei underwent several surgeries on his arms and legs and has difficulty speaking due to severe burns to his face and lips. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he had been wounded and likely suffered disfigurement. Tehran did not confirm these reports.
