US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is alive and gradually becoming more active in state affairs.

Rubio made the remarks on Tuesday (June 2) during a hearing of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Indications are that he is increasingly involved at some level," Rubio said.

The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in a joint US-Israeli strike. That attack triggered the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran.

However, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since assuming office. While his condition had sparked widespread speculation after he was reportedly injured in the attack, Rubio's remarks indicate that he is alive and actively fulfilling his leadership duties.

Source: Middle East Eye