Trump claims Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei is dead; Tehran denies reports

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN (MNTV) — U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead, though there has been no official confirmation from Tehran and Iranian media have rejected the reports.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that Khamenei, whom he described as “one of the most evil people in History,” “is dead.” He said the development represented “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country.”

The president also suggested that Iranian security forces were wavering and reiterated warnings that continued resistance would bring further military action.

In interviews with U.S. networks, Trump doubled down on the claim. Speaking to NBC News, he said, “we feel that that is a correct story,” referring to reports that Khamenei had been killed.

Asked who might replace the Iranian leader, Trump responded: “I don’t know, but at some point they’ll be calling me to ask who I’d like… I’m only being a little sarcastic when I say that.”

In comments to ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Trump said: “I don’t want to say anything definitively until I see things but we believe he is. And much of their leaders are gone.”

Iranian authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the claim. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim and Mehr news agencies reported that Khamenei remains “steadfast and firm in commanding the field,” directly contradicting Trump’s assertion.

The conflicting narratives come amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, with military strikes and retaliatory attacks continuing across the region.

Without independent confirmation from Iranian officials, the status of Iran’s supreme leader remains unclear.