Finance
Trump says he thinks iran's new supreme leader is alive but 'damaged'
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 13, 2026
Quick Summary
President Trump said he believes Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei—named after his father was killed in U.S.–Israeli strikes—is likely alive but “damaged,” amid reports of light injuries; Khamenei vowed in his first public remarks to press on with the war and close the Strait of
Trump: Iran's New Supreme Leader Reportedly Alive but 'Damaged' as War Escalates
Escalation of Conflict and Leadership Uncertainty in Iran
By Kanishka Singh
Background on Iran's Supreme Leadership Transition
WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said that he thinks new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, whose father, the former supreme leader, was killed on the first day of the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran, is alive but "damaged."
Absence and Public Statements of Mojtaba Khamenei
Khamenei has not been seen by Iranians since his selection on Sunday by a clerical assembly, and his first comments were read out by a television presenter on Thursday.
Official Reports on Khamenei's Condition
An Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the newly appointed supreme leader was lightly injured but was continuing to operate, after state television described him as war-wounded.
Trump's Remarks and International Response
"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 in an interview on Fox News' "The Brian Kilmeade Show." His remarks were published by Fox News late on Thursday.
Khamenei's First Comments as Supreme Leader
In Khamenei's first comments, he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and called on neighboring countries to close U.S. bases on their territory or risk Iran targeting them.
Ongoing War and Regional Impact
The U.S. and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28. Iran has responded with its own strikes on Israel and Gulf countries with U.S. bases.
As the war approached the two-week mark, having killed thousands and shaken financial markets, the leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States all voiced defiance and have vowed to fight on.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Key Takeaways
- •Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader on March 8, 2026, following the February 28 killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by joint U.S.–Israeli strikes (aljazeera.com).
- •Iranian officials say the new leader was lightly injured—reported to include fractures and bruises—but remains active, while his first statements reaffirm defiance, including threats over the Strait of Hormuz (independent.co.uk).
- •Trump told Fox News he thinks Mojtaba “is probably alive… damaged but… in some form,” underscoring uncertainty over Khamenei’s condition amid the escalating war (apnews.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump says he thinks Iran's new supreme leader is alive but 'damaged'
1What did Trump say about Iran's new supreme leader?
Trump said he believes the new Iranian Supreme Leader is alive but 'damaged' following the war.
2Who is Iran's new supreme leader?
Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed by a clerical assembly after his father's death.
3How has the Iran-Israel war impacted financial markets?
The conflict has shaken financial markets globally as fighting continues.
4What did the new Iranian leader vow regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
He vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and warned Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
