President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is missing and that no one can confirm whether he is still alive.
The United States has had no contact with Khamenei, and instead negotiations being underway with a senior Iranian official. The son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was named supreme leader after his father was killed in the opening strikes of Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
“We have not heard from the son,” Trump said. “Every once in a while, you’ll see a statement made — but we don’t know if he’s living.”
“I don’t consider him really the leader.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has not made a single public appearance since being named his father’s successor on March 9. His first statement as supreme leader was read on Iranian state television by a broadcaster rather than delivered in person.
Trump said it may mean he’s already dead.
“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.” Trump also called reports of his death “a rumor.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference that the younger Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured” in the opening strikes.
“His father: dead; he’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run, and he lacks legitimacy,” Hegseth said. He also questioned why Khamenei had issued only a written statement.
“Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why.”
Iran has denied the reports. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Khamenei is in “excellent health” and “in control of the situation.” Iran’s foreign ministry also denied that any direct talks with the U.S. are taking place, calling Trump’s announcement that negotiations were underway a bid to “reduce energy prices and buy time.”
Trump said Monday his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks with their Iranian counterparts Sunday and that the discussions were continuing. He declined to identify the Iranian official involved in the talks, saying he did not want the person to be killed.
“Nobody wants that job right now,” Trump said.