---
title: "Trump says Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but wounded"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-08-26T16:46:06.305Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-26T16:22:14.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-26T16:46:06.305Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 59
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T18:45:26.796399+00:00"
---

# Trump says Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but wounded

*US President Donald Trump stated he believes the Iranian leader survived an assassination attempt and is seriously injured.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Trump, with some outlets adding details about injuries and the US-Israeli strike.
- Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. Most outlets provided digests, with only one full report. Claims about injuries and the US-Israeli strike were common.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and digests suggest mild sensationalism, with some using 'breaking' or 'shocked'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- US President Donald Trump stated he believes Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, is alive but seriously wounded.
- Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since assuming leadership after his father's assassination.
- Trump claimed the left side of Khamenei's body, including his arm and leg, was injured.
- Trump also commented that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that mines have been cleared.

US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, though seriously wounded. Khamenei has not been seen publicly since he took over the leadership role after his father's assassination. Trump made these remarks in a telephonic interview with radio host Glenn Beck.

Trump described the injuries to Khamenei as affecting the left side of his body, including his arm and leg. He added that if Khamenei were not alive, Iran would be maintaining a very convincing facade. The Iranian leader has been absent from public view for six months, fueling speculation about his condition and whereabouts amid ongoing conflict.

Reports indicate that Iran's Fars news agency released an undated video purportedly showing Khamenei listening to a student present a thesis. Hindustan Times stated it could not independently verify the video's authenticity. Earlier reports had surfaced suggesting Khamenei was hospitalised and near death, and he also missed his father's funeral.

Trump also commented on the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that it is fully open and that mines have been cleared. He stated that many ships are now transiting the waterway.

## Disagreement on details of injuries

While multiple reports state Trump claimed Khamenei was wounded on the left side of his body, including his arm and leg, some digests provide slightly different details. For instance, El Confidencial reports Trump saying the arm, leg, and 'whole side' were injured. Legit.ng reports Trump assessing Khamenei's health as 'very seriously wounded' without specifying body parts.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated digests mention Donald Trump's comments regarding the Strait of Hormuz. None of the right-rated digests mention the Fars news agency video or the inability of Hindustan Times to verify its authenticity.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 23 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 4% (1)
- Centre: 44% (10)
- Right: 52% (12)

20 of 43 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T18:45:26.796399+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T19:00:11.997Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated report from Le Monde focused on Donald Trump's statement that he does not believe Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is dead. The report noted that Khamenei has not appeared publicly since February 28, the date of the bombings carried out by the United States and Israel during which his father was killed.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports led with US President Donald Trump's assertion that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded. Hindustan Times, which provided a full report, included Trump's specific comments about the left side of Khamenei's body being injured, his belief that Iran would maintain a strong facade if the leader were deceased, and his statements about the Strait of Hormuz being open. Newsweek's digest highlighted Trump's claim that Khamenei survived, while also posing the question of whether the IRGC had turned him into a wartime puppet. El Periódico, informacion.es, laprovincia.es, and Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija all reported Trump's belief that Khamenei is alive despite serious injuries sustained during the February offensive. Jerusalem Post also quoted Trump stating he does not think Khamenei is dead and was very seriously wounded.

### Right

- Right-rated reports from outlets including Libertad Digital, Clarin, Arutz Sheva, El Universo, Anadolu Ajansı, Le Figaro, and Daily Express focused on Donald Trump's statements that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded. Arutz Sheva and Anadolu Ajansı also included Trump's praise for US military operations and his prediction of a 'very big victory.' Clarin mentioned Trump's confirmation of the CIA director's visit to Moscow. Daily Express noted that the US President addressed the Iranian leader in hiding.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 2
- mixed: 6
- high: 12
- unknown: 21
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [observatorial.com](https://observatorial.com/news/world/1799129/trump-reveals-new-details-mujataba-is-not-dead-but-very-badly-injured) — Trump reveals new details: “Mujataba is not dead, but very badly injured”
- [Al Bawaba](https://albawaba.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A6%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7-1635854) — Trump: I Believe Khamenei Is Still Alive.
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/us/trump-questions-reports-of-mojtaba-khameneis-death-in-iran) — Trump Questions Reports of Mojtaba Khamenei’s Death in Iran
- [Jordan News | Latest News from Jordan, MENA](https://jordannews.jo/Section-111/All/Trump-I-Don-t-Think-Khamenei-Is-Dead-and-We-Destroyed-the-Iranian-Navy-54785) — Trump: I Don't Think Khamenei Is Dead, and We Destroyed the Iranian Navy
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/08/26/us-news/trump-doubts-irans-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-is-dead) — Trump doubts Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is dead: ‘If he is, they’re putting on a pretty good show’
- [lrytas.lt](https://lrytas.lt/pasaulis/konfliktai-ir-saugumas/2026/08/26/news/d-trumpas-mano-kad-irano-lyderis-khamenei-vis-dar-gyvas-43720365) — Trump Believes Iranian Leader Khamenei Is Still Alive
- [Aktuality.sk](https://aktuality.sk/clanok/47QsSO3/iransky-duchovny-vodca-chamenei-je-nazive-domnieva-sa-donald-trump) — Donald Trump Believes Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Is Alive
- [Unknown](https://news.walla.co.il/item/3863405) — Trump Revealed Mojtaba's Condition, Emphasizing: "We Will Achieve Victory in Iran Soon"
- [diarioestrategia.cl](https://diarioestrategia.cl/texto-diario/mostrar/5994475/trump-afirma-jamenei-esta-vivo-pero-sigue-herido-gravedad) — Trump Claims that Khamenei Is Alive, but Remains Seriously Injured
- [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/nu-cred-ca-e-mort-trump-afirma-ca-liderul-iranian-mojtaba-khamenei-este-inca-in-viata-3923121) — "I Don't Think He's Dead. Trump Says Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Is Still Alive
- [Legit.ng - Nigeria news.](https://legit.ng/world/us/1727383-breaking-trump-announces-fresh-development-irans-supreme-leader) — Breaking: Trump announces fresh development over Iran's supreme leader, "The left side of his body"
- [Libertad Digital](https://libertaddigital.com/internacional/estados-unidos/2026-08-26/trump-afirma-que-jamenei-esta-vivo-pero-herido-de-gravedad-7451847) — Trump Claims that Khamenei Is Alive but Seriously Wounded
- [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/trump-iran-leader/2026/08/26/id/1267385) — Trump: Iran's Supreme Leader 'Seriously Wounded' but Alive
- [abc](https://abc.es/internacional/trump-asegura-jamenei-sigue-vivo-gravemente-herido-20260826175558-nt.html) — Trump Claims that Khamenei Is Still Alive but Is "Severely Wounded"
- [El Comercio](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/eeuu/donald-trump-dice-que-cree-que-el-lider-irani-mojtaba-jamenei-sigue-vivo-iran-estados-unidos-ultimas-noticia) — Trump Says He Believes Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Is Still Alive
- [Goodreturns](https://tamil.goodreturns.in/news/donald-trump-claims-iranian-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-critically-injured-in-us-israeli-strike-082237.html) — Do You Know What the Current Situation Is with Iranian Leader Mujtaba Khamenei? Shocked by What Trump Said!
- [El Periódico](https://elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20260826/trump-afirma-mojtaba-jamenei-vivo-133680324) — Trump Claims Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive, but Seriously Wounded
- [informacion.es](https://informacion.es/internacional/2026/08/26/trump-afirma-mojtaba-jamenei-vivo-133680300.html) — Trump Claims Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive, but Seriously Wounded
- [laprovincia.es](https://laprovincia.es/mundo/2026/08/26/trump-afirma-mojtaba-jamenei-vivo-133680299.html) — Trump Claims Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive, but Seriously Wounded
- [lacronicabadajoz.com](https://lacronicabadajoz.com/internacional/2026/08/26/trump-afirma-mojtaba-jamenei-vivo-133680313.html) — Trump Claims Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive, but Seriously Wounded
- [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/trump-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-iran-irgc-ghost-rule-12370507) — Trump says Mojtaba Khamenei is alive. Either way, his ghost rules Iran
- [El Confidencial](https://elconfidencial.com/mundo/2026-08-26/trump-ayatola-mojtaba-jamenei-vivo_4412598) — Trump Claims that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive, but Is Still Seriously Injured
- [News Addicts](https://newsaddicts.com/trump-weighs-in-on-khameneis-health-rumors) — Trump Weighs In on Khamenei's Health Rumors
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/mundo/guerra-medio-oriente-trump-lider-supremo-iran-vivo_0_eGZXc9yl9H.html) — War in the Middle East: For Trump Iran’s Supreme Leader Is Alive · Global Voices
- [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/08/26/donald-trump-dit-ne-pas-penser-que-le-guide-supreme-iranien-mojtaba-khamenei-soit-mort_6757391_3210.html) — Donald Trump Says He Doesn't Think the Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Is Dead
- [Arutz Sheva](https://israelnationalnews.com/news/432269) — Trump: 'Mojtaba Khamenei very seriously wounded, but not dead'
- [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96298933-trump-sa-domnieva-ze-modztaba-chamenei-je-nazive-bol-velmi-tazko-zraneny-tvrdi) — Trump Believes that Mojtaba Khamenei Is Alive. He Was Very Seriously Injured, He Says
- [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A8-%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%86%D9%87-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7) — Trump Says He Thinks the Iranian Supreme Leader Is Still Alive.
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/3033359/jav-prezidentas-mano-kad-irano-auksciausiasis-lyderis-vis-dar-gyvas) — US President Believes Iran's Supreme Leader Is Still Alive
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/middle-east/20260826-middle-east-live-iran-says-hormuz-strait-still-closed-despite-transit-corridor-talks-with-oman) — Mideast live: Trump says he believes Iran's leader is still alive ...
- [El Universo](https://eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/no-creo-que-este-muerto-dice-donald-trump-sobre-el-lider-irani-mojtaba-jamenei-nota) — ‘I Don’t Think He’s Dead,’ Says Donald Trump About Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
- [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-news-trump-says-he-doesnt-think-ayatollah-mojtaba-khamenei-is-dead-calls-iranian-leader-very-seriously-wounded-270589) — US-Israel-Iran War Live News: Trump Says He Doesn’t ‘Think’ Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei Is Dead, Calls Iranian Leader ‘Very Seriously Wounded’
- [Nettavisen](https://nettavisen.no/nyheter/trump-tror-ikke-khamenei-er-dod/s/80-95-14048) — Trump: – I Don't Think Khamenei Is Dead
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/americas/trump-says-irans-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-but-very-seriously-wounded/4038259) — Trump says Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei alive but 'very seriously' wounded
- [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-believes-iran-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-still-alive-seriously-wounded-not-dead-war-news-101787751144143.html) — Trump believes Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive: 'Seriously wounded, but not dead'
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/international/etats-unis-donald-trump-ne-pense-pas-que-le-guide-supreme-iranien-soit-mort-20260826) — United States: Donald Trump Doesn't Think Iran's Supreme Leader Is Dead
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/middle-east/article-906667) — Trump says Iran's leader is wounded, not dead
- [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/news/world/2242742/donald-trump-says-irans-mojtaba) — Donald Trump says Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei 'seriously wounded' on body, arm and leg
- [Unknown](https://srugim.co.il/101009572-%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A4-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%A3-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%92%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%9C%D7%90-%D7%91%D7%98%D7%95%D7%97) — Trump Reveals New Details About Mojtaba: 'Not Sure He's Dead'
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/08/26/trump-doubts-irans-supreme-leader-is-dead) — Trump Doubts Iran’s Supreme Leader Is Dead
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/trump-diz-que-lider-do-ira-esta-ferido-nao-morto) — Trump Says Iran's Leader Is Wounded, Not Dead
- [Wort.lu](https://wort.lu/international/ist-irans-neuer-oberster-fuehrer-mojtaba-khamenei-schon-tot/160518808.html) — Is Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Already Dead?
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/trump-cree-lider-irani-mojtaba-jamenei-muerto-20260826-830288.html) — Trump Doesn't Think Iranian Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Is Dead

## Questions

**What did Donald Trump say about Mojtaba Khamenei's health?**

Donald Trump stated he believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded. He specified that the left side of Khamenei's body, including his arm and leg, was injured.

**Has Mojtaba Khamenei been seen in public recently?**

No, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since taking over as Supreme Leader following his father's assassination. This absence has fueled speculation about his condition and whereabouts.

**What did Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?**

Donald Trump asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that mines have been cleared. He stated that a significant number of ships are now transiting the waterway.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Trump says Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but wounded", https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-says-irans-mojtaba-khamenei-is-alive-but-wounded