Iran’s New Supreme Leader Is Probably ‘Alive in Some Form,’ Trump Says

Mojtaba Khamenei made his first statement as Iran’s supreme leader on March 12.

US President Donald Trump acknowledges the applause of attendees to the Republican Members Issues Conference at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on March 9, 2026. Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 12 that he believes Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may still be “alive in some form,” despite not appearing publicly since taking over from his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28.

“I think he probably is [alive]. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Trump said during an interview with Fox News’ “Brian Kilmeade Show.”