President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he believes Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, though he acknowledged reports of severe injuries sustained from a February airstrike. Trump dismissed speculation that Khamenei is secretly dead, despite the leader not appearing in public since the start of the conflict in February.
"I don’t think he’s dead. He was very seriously wounded. The left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing," Trump told radio host Glenn Beck in an interview. "He was very seriously wounded, but I don’t think he’s dead. And if he is, they’re putting on a pretty good show."
Trump referenced ongoing negotiations, noting that Iranian peace negotiators frequently refer to needing to consult Khamenei for final approval on deals. He added that the Iranian leadership is "not the most honorable group."
The president’s remarks come in response to an article in The Atlantic, which cited an Iranian official suggesting, "I believe Mojtaba has either passed away or is brain-dead."
Trump’s administration has been involved in efforts to negotiate an end to the war with Iran, which he initially projected would conclude within four weeks. A ceasefire in place since April 8 and a memorandum of understanding signed June 17 were disrupted last month when Iran attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Amidst the ongoing conflict and diplomatic efforts, the Trump administration launched "Operation Economic Outcast" this week. This initiative aims to sever Iran's economic ties with countries such as China and Russia. "We had the victory in Venezuela, and we’re going to have a big victory here very soon," Trump stated in the interview, drawing a parallel to a recent US action in Venezuela.