‘We don't know if he's dead, nobody's seen him’: Trump questions Mojtaba Khamenei’s health

US president Donald Trump has intensified speculation over the health and whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying the leader’s lack of public visibility has fuelled persistent rumours about his condition.

In remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump said a wave of unverified claims, from severe injuries to death, had been circulating, and that the Iranian leader’s silence had made the situation “unusual”.

Trump cites rumours of injury and death

Responding to a question, Trump said, "A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost one leg, and he's been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he's dead."

He added that Khamenei’s absence from public speeches had amplified speculation. "Nobody's saying he's 100 percent healthy. He hasn't spoken because the Ayatollah would sit and he'd spew hate from a form of a throne... We don't know if he's dead or not. I will say this: nobody's seen him, which is unusual," he said.

The comments come during a period of heightened US–Iran tensions following weeks of military encounters and diplomatic standoffs.

Previous remarks and doubts over Iran’s leadership

In an earlier interview with NBC News, Trump suggested he had heard that Iran’s new supreme leader “is not alive”, though he stressed the claim remained unconfirmed.

He said Washington was not prepared to accept Tehran’s proposed terms for a peace deal. "Iran wants to make a deal, and I don't want to make it because the terms aren't good enough yet," Trump said, adding that any agreement must be “very solid”.

He reiterated doubts about Khamenei’s status, noting, "I don't know if he's even alive. So far, nobody's been able to show him."

Although acknowledging the reports were still “a rumour”, he added: "I'm hearing he's not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that's surrender."

US officials echo concerns over Khamenei’s condition

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reinforced Trump’s assertions on Friday, alleging that Khamenei had been “wounded and likely disfigured” in recent military action.

He said a recent written message attributed to the Iranian leader appeared “weak”, describing him as “scared”, “injured” and lacking in legitimacy.

Iran announces senior new military adviser

Amid the growing speculation, Iranian media reported that the Supreme Leader on Monday appointed former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander Mohsen Rezaei as his military adviser. The update was carried by Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s state-linked Mehr News Agency.

Neither Iran nor Khamenei’s office has publicly addressed the rumours about his condition. The government of Iran has also not released recent footage of the leader, whose visibility traditionally plays a central role in projecting authority within the Islamic Republic.

(WIth inputs from ANI)