Donald Trump Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Likely Alive but Injured’ Amid War Tensions

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran's recently appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is likely still alive but may have suffered injuries during the ongoing conflict, even though the Iranian leader has not appeared publicly since the war began.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox News, suggesting that Mojtaba Khamenei survived the attacks that reportedly killed his predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The interview, part of The Brian Kilmeade Show, was scheduled to air at 10:06 am ET on Friday.

His comments came shortly after Iranian media outlets carried what they described as Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement since assuming the position of Supreme Leader.

US-Iran War Escalation and Leadership Change

The current phase of the conflict intensified following US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, which Washington and Tel Aviv said targeted Iran's nuclear programme. The attacks reportedly killed Iran's long-time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a wider exchange of missiles and drones across the region.

Following Ali Khamenei's death, Iranian authorities moved quickly to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, as the new Supreme Leader.

Mojtaba Khamenei is widely believed to have strong ties with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is often described by analysts as a more hardline figure than his father. Observers say his leadership could make diplomatic compromise with Western nations more difficult.

Trump's Comments on Strait of Hormuz Shipping

During the interview, Trump also addressed concerns surrounding shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. The narrow waterway handles a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Trump urged commercial vessels to continue sailing through the strait despite warnings from Iran.

"They should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts," Trump said, adding that there was "nothing to be afraid of."

He also claimed that Iran's naval capabilities had been significantly weakened during the conflict, stating that US forces had destroyed much of Iran's fleet.

Uncertainty Around Mojtaba Khamenei's Condition

Despite the reported statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, uncertainty continues over his health and location. The Iranian leader has not appeared on television or in public since the war began.

An Iranian diplomat earlier suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured in the same incident that reportedly killed Ali Khamenei and members of his family.

In messages broadcast on Iranian state television, Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed retaliation against the United States and its allies. The statements warned of possible new fronts in the conflict and hinted at potential disruptions to energy supplies, global markets and international travel.

With tensions continuing across the Gulf region, governments and markets worldwide remain closely watchful of developments surrounding Iran's leadership and the broader US-Iran confrontation.