President Trump Hints New Supreme Leader Is “Not Alive”

In a phone call with NBC News, President Donald Trump said he believes Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader – the son of the late Ayatollah – might not even be alive.

However, President Trump added that if the new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is actually alive, he should do something “very smart” for his country and consider surrender.

As reported by Fox News:

President Donald Trump said Iran must “surrender” to end the war and claimed he is hearing the country’s new supreme leader may already be dead.

“I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender,” Trump said of Mojtaba Khamenei in a phone interview with NBC News.

Trump added he is unsure whether the Iranian leader is still living. “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” he said.

The president also said Iran is seeking negotiations but that he is not ready to make a 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.

Now, obviously, those are strong words. But they reflect the broader moment we’re in right now. The U.S., alongside Israel, has been conducting a sustained military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure. And according to the Administration, the focus has been strategic: taking out military capabilities while trying to avoid triggering a wider economic shock.

One example of that strategy involves the strikes around Kharg Island, one of Iran’s most critical oil export hubs. The attacks reportedly targeted the military assets protecting the island – including air defenses, radar, and other support systems – while taking care to leave the oil facilities intact. That sends a clear signal that the economic lifeline is vulnerable, but the goal isn’t necessarily to destroy it outright, knowing that would have a negative effect.

That distinction matters because of the broader global implications. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply moves through the nearby Strait of Hormuz, so any major disruption there would send shockwaves through global markets. We’re already seeing the early effects of instability in the region. Gas prices have ticked up in many parts of the country. Right now, filling up a large SUV can easily surpass the $100 mark, and that gets people’s attention. And in other states such as California, prices are climbing even higher.

At the same time, the military campaign itself appears far from over. The Trump Administration says thousands of targets have been hit so far, and President Trump himself said recently that Iran’s air force, naval assets, radar systems, and much of its missile capability have been “obliterated.” The stated objective is clear: cripple Iran’s ability to take military action beyond its borders.

Meanwhile, questions about the next phase of the conflict remain. Some have proposed the possibility of utilizing regional allies to play a role, if the situation escalates, rather than more American boots on the ground. Kurdish forces, particularly the Peshmerga, have worked closely with U.S. forces in past conflicts against the Islamic State. The Kurds have long been adversaries of regimes in the region and have proven to be capable fighters, but whether they play any role here remains to be seen at this point.

For now, the Administration appears focused on continuing the air campaign while keeping its broader strategy flexible. That’s consistent with the framework of the War Powers Resolution, which allows for a 60-day period of military engagement without authorization from Congress.

Iran’s leadership may be trying to wait things out, hoping political pressure in the United States eventually forces a shift in strategy. At the same time, the Administration clearly believes sustained pressure, both military and economic, will eventually force Tehran to return to the negotiating table on terms more favorable to the United States and its allies. But if Trump’s hunch is correct and the latest Supreme Leader is no longer alive, who is in charge of making such a decision?

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of President Trump’s statements and the public reaction to the war as we enter Week 3. We were also joined by ACLJ Senior Managing Counsel Christy Compagnone, who provided an update on a case we’re fighting to defend the religious liberty of students.

Watch the full broadcast below: