U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he believes the new supreme leader of Iran is still alive. This statement was in response to a media report, which cited speculation suggesting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei might have died due to injuries sustained during the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
The Atlantic Monthly reported that "new rumors are circulating everywhere in Tehran," claiming that Ahmadinejad had died. The report cited anonymous sources from within the Iranian government and those close to the government, who speculated that Ahmadinejad might have died due to severe injuries.
On August 26, during an interview with radio host Glenn Beck, Trump was asked about a report in The Atlantic Monthly. He replied, "I don't think he's dead."
Trump said, "He suffered very serious injuries. On the left side of his body, his arms, legs, and the entire left half were injured. He was severely injured, but I don't think he is dead."
Trump pointed out that Iranian negotiators have always stated during the negotiations that they needed to seek approval from Khamenei. Therefore, if Khamenei is actually dead, then “this play has been quite well performed.”
Trump said, "They have been saying that they will go back and talk with him to reach a final agreement on some matters."
In the first round of attacks at the beginning of the war, the United States and Israel killed a large number of senior Iranian leaders, including the father of Mujtaba Khamenei and the former supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The 56-year-old Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quickly elected as Iran's new supreme leader. The Iranian Expert Council consisted of 88 religious figures. On March 8, the council announced the election of this influential middle-level religious figure, who has significant influence in Iran's security forces and commercial networks, to succeed his father as supreme leader.
However, since the decision was announced, Khamenei has not made any public appearances. According to The Atlantic Monthly, he also failed to attend his father's memorial service recently, and there have been no photos, videos, or recordings of him in recent times.
In his interview with Beck, Trump also expressed his dissatisfaction with Iranian negotiators. He said, "You reached an agreement with them... I have to tell you that these are not a group of people who are very trustworthy."
After a peace agreement reached in June this year was broken due to disputes over the Hormuz Strait, Trump has recently focused on using economic means to pressure Tehran. The Hormuz Strait is an important waterway for global oil transportation. US Treasury Secretary Scott Berdonte also announced a plan to impose further sanctions against Iran.
