Pezeshkian: Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is Healthy and Able to Govern

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday, Sept. 24, that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “completely” healthy and able to govern, according to remarks on Fox News‘ “Special Report.”

The statement came during an interview with host Bret Baier and marked one of the few public assessments of the supreme leader’s condition since he assumed power. Mojtaba, 57, has not been seen in public or photographed since becoming Iran’s supreme leader, and questions about his condition have persisted for months, officials said.

Pezeshkian told Baier that the two met “about a month ago” and had “conducted talks,” according to the interview. His comments were released as the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran continued into its eighth month ^[1].

Background: Reports of Injury and Seclusion

The  was reportedly seriously injured during U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28, in an operation identified as Operation Epic Fury ^[2]. The strikes killed his father and predecessor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several family members ^[3].

Mojtaba suffered a fractured foot, facial lacerations and a bruised eye in the attack, according to early reports ^[4]. Later reporting citing confidential sources stated he required a prosthetic leg and facial surgery ^[5]. The younger Khamenei is believed to have gone into hiding and has not been seen publicly since becoming supreme leader, officials said.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected him as the new supreme leader in March, marking a rare hereditary succession ^[3]. A senior paramilitary commander said in August that Iran would release footage of Mojtaba appearing in public to dispel rumors, but no such footage had been published as of late September ^[6]. The Atlantic cited sources in Tehran who speculated Mojtaba was either dead or brain-dead, while others believed he was still alive, according to the report ^[5].

Pezeshkian Cites Security Concerns for Mojtaba’s Absence

Pezeshkian said he met with the younger Khamenei for about seven hours and did not remember exact dates, saying, “I don’t remember the dates. About a month, a month and a half ago.” When asked whether Mojtaba could govern, Pezeshkian replied, “Very much so, completely,” and said his administration is being consulted and directed by the younger Khamenei, according to the interview.

Pezeshkian attributed Mojtaba’s absence from public view to a “lack of security that was created by the action of foreigners,” whom he called “aggressors,” according to the interview. The president’s remarks follow months of conflicting signals from Tehran. The supreme leader issued a statement in March denying rumors that he was dead or severely injured, but the message was read on state TV without a public appearance, intensifying speculation about his health and possible concealment ^[7].

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has effectively sidelined Pezeshkian and taken over key state functions, with the president described as being in a “complete political deadlock,” unable to make appointments or even meet with the supreme leader, according to reporting from April ^[8]. That raises questions about the reliability of Pezeshkian’s firsthand account of Mojtaba’s condition.

Trump Disputes Reports That Mojtaba Is Dead

U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe Mojtaba is dead, telling commentator Glenn Beck: “He was very seriously wounded, but I don’t think he’s dead.” Trump added, “And if he is, they’re putting on a pretty good show because they talk about going back to talk to him all the time to get a final blessing on things,” according to the interview.

Trump said Mojtaba suffered serious wounds to “the left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing,” according to the interview. His assessment aligns with earlier public comments in June, when he characterized Mojtaba as “a very smart guy” and disclosed that the Iranian leader sustained injuries during the Feb. 28 airstrike ^[9].

Mojtaba has rejected Trump’s peace terms and threatened the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement issued in May ^[10]. Earlier, the supreme leader stated that the U.S. president’s signature was “worthless and invalid,” citing repeated breaches of agreements, according to Iran’s state broadcaster ^[11]. The exchange of public statements has continued throughout U.S.-Iran peace talks, with Trump saying in August the U.S. was “low keying” negotiations while economic pressure took hold ^[12].

Ongoing Questions, No Independent Confirmation

Mojtaba has not addressed the public since the start of the war, and no independent medical information, photographs, or video have been released, officials said. Pezeshkian’s statements and Trump’s remarks offer differing accounts of Mojtaba’s condition, while The Atlantic report cited unnamed sources with conflicting assessments, according to reports ^[5].

The absence of verifiable information has fueled competing narratives. Iranian officials have insisted the supreme leader remains in control, while outside observers have questioned whether decisions attributed to Mojtaba originate with him or with the IRGC ^[8]. No date has been given for the new supreme leader’s next public appearance or address, officials said.

Pezeshkian spoke at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he continued to strike a defiant tone against U.S. threats, according to Middle East Eye ^[13]. Thousands rallied outside the UN headquarters to support Iran’s resistance movement during his address ^[14]. The supreme leader’s whereabouts and health remain among the most closely held questions of the conflict ^[1].

References

1. “Trump considering ‘blowing up’ Iran – Fox News”. RT. September 21, 2026.
2. “The Nuclear Rubicon: Why Iran’s Deterrent Is Our Only Hope and How to Survive What Follows”. NaturalNews.com. March 26, 2026.
3. Cassie B. “Son of Slain Ayatollah Takes Power in Iran as U.S.-Israeli Bombing Campaign Rages On”. NaturalNews.com. March 9, 2026.
4. Kevin Hughes. “Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Injured in U.S.-Israeli Airstrikes”. NaturalNews.com. March 13, 2026.
5. Garrison Vance. “Report Details Health Condition of Iran’s New Supreme Leader”. NaturalNews.com. April 24, 2026.
6. “New Khamenei footage will debunk health rumors – Iranian commander”. RT. August 11, 2026.
7. Laura Harris. “Mojtaba Khamenei Denies Death Rumors, Issues Warning to U.S.”. NaturalNews.com. March 20, 2026.
8. Zoey Sky. “Iran’s IRGC sidelines the president as military’s grip expands”. NaturalNews.com. April 24, 2026.
9. “Trump Says Iran’s Top Leader Involved in Peace Talks, Injured in February Airstrike”. NaturalNews.com. June 8, 2026.
10. Garrison Vance. “Iran’s Injured Supreme Leader Rejects U.S. Nuclear Demands, Threatens Strait of Hormuz”. NaturalNews.com. May 3, 2026.
11. “Iran’s Khamenei says US president’s signature ‘worthless and invalid'”. Middle East Eye. July 18, 2026.
12. “Trump Says US ‘Only Semi-Negotiating’ With Iran”. The Epoch Times. August 9, 2026.
13. “‘We will never bow our head’: Iran’s president strikes defiant tone in UN speech”. Middle East Eye. September 23, 2026.
14. “Thousands Rally to Support Iran Resistance Movement During UN General Assembly”. The Epoch Times. September 23, 2026.

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