U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed deep skepticism regarding the current status and whereabouts of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, sparking fresh questions about the stability of the Iranian leadership.
In an exclusive telephone interview with NBC News on Saturday (March 14), President Trump pointed out that Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a single public appearance since ascending to power.
"Is He Even Alive?"
During the interview, the President raised provocative questions about whether the new Supreme Leader is still functional or even alive.
"I have my doubts as to whether Mojtaba Khamenei is even alive," Trump stated. "So far, no one has been able to provide any conclusive proof of his presence. I am hearing reports that he may not be with us anymore."
Trump added that if the Iranian leader is indeed alive, he should take a specific course of action: "If he is alive, he should do a very smart thing for the sake of his country—and that is to surrender."
While the President emphasized these reports as "rumors" for now, he noted that the lack of visibility remains a "deep mystery."
No Immediate Deal with Tehran
President Trump also made it clear that he is in no rush to reach a settlement or ceasefire to end the ongoing conflict with Iran. He claimed that while Tehran is "desperate" to secure a deal, the current terms are not favorable enough for Washington.
"Any agreement must be extremely strong and in the best interest of the United States," Trump said, though he declined to elaborate on specific conditions or "red lines" for future negotiations.
Hinting at Alternative Leadership
When questioned about who might lead Iran if the current regime falters, the President refrained from naming specific individuals but hinted at back-channel preparations.
"We have some very capable people in mind who could be fantastic leaders for the future of that country," Trump remarked, suggesting that the U.S. is already considering post-conflict scenarios for the Iranian government.
Source: CNN / NBC News
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