Trump claims Iran’s supreme leader ‘may be dead or badly wounded’, no official confirmation

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be dead or seriously wounded, even as there has been no official confirmation from Tehran.

Speaking about the impact of ongoing US military operations, Trump said Iran’s leadership had been effectively eliminated. “Their supreme leader is no longer supreme… he’s dead. The son is either dead or in very bad shape because nobody’s heard from him,” he said.

The remarks come amid continued uncertainty over the condition of Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not made any public appearance since being named Iran’s supreme leader following the reported death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in strikes in late February.

US officials have previously indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during the same strikes, though details about his condition remain unclear. Trump himself has made varying statements in recent weeks, at times suggesting Khamenei could be alive but “damaged,” and at other times questioning whether he is alive at all.

The absence of the Iranian leader from public view has fuelled speculation about a possible leadership vacuum in Tehran. Reports suggest that key military and political institutions in Iran are continuing to function, but questions remain about whether there is a central authority coordinating decisions.

Trump also claimed that US military actions had significantly degraded Iran’s defence capabilities, asserting that the country’s air force, navy and communications systems had been largely destroyed. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Iran has not officially responded to Trump’s latest remarks. Earlier statements from Iranian officials have maintained that the country’s leadership structure remains intact, though they have not provided clear updates on Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition.

The developments come as the conflict in West Asia enters its second month, with continued strikes, retaliatory attacks and rising regional instability. The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.

Analysts say the lack of confirmed information and conflicting statements from different sides are contributing to a climate of confusion, making it difficult to assess the true state of Iran’s leadership and military command.