Trump says the US does not know if Iran’s supreme leader is “dead or not”
Donald Judd
By Donald Judd
President Donald Trump told reporters today that he does not know if Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei — who hasn’t appeared in public in the days since the announcement of his appointment — is even alive.

“I mean, a lot of people are saying that he’s badly disfigured — they’re saying that he lost his leg, one leg, and he’s, you know, been hurt very badly, other people are saying he’s dead, nobody’s saying he’s 100% healthy,” Trump said in the East Room of the White House

“So that could be for a lot of different reasons. We don’t know … if he’s dead or not. Now that he’s announced, I will say there’s, nobody’s seen him, which is unusual,” the president continued.

A demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei at Enghelab Square in Tehran on March 9.
A demonstrator holds a picture of Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei m.blsp at Enghelab Square in Tehran on March 9. Arezoo/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Khamenei suffered a fractured foot and other minor injuries on the first day of the US’ and Israel’s bombardment campaign, a source familiar with the situation told CNN. Khamenei, 56, also received a bruise around his left eye, as well as minor lacerations to his face, the source said.

The leader’s absence in public has led to widespread speculation as to his status. The New York Post reported Monday that Trump has been briefed that Khamenei may be gay — a report White House Communications Director Steven Cheung reposted to X, writing, “Some interesting reporting coming out of Tehran these days.”