US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he believes Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive, even though the Iranian leader has not appeared publicly since taking office after the war in Iran began.

Trump made the remarks during an interview that aired on Fox News. His comments came only hours after Iranian news portals carried the first public message from Mojtaba Khamenei since he became the country’s supreme leader.

In that statement, Khamenei pledged to continue fighting in the ongoing conflict. He also warned that Gulf Arab countries could face more pain and said Iran could open “other fronts” in the war. The conflict has already affected global energy supplies, disrupted the world economy, and caused problems for international travel.

Trump Speculates on Khamenei’s Condition

Trump said he believes the Iranian leader may have survived the attack but could be injured.

“I think he probably is. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Fox News quoted Trump as saying during an interview on “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” which was scheduled to air Friday at 10:06 am ET.

The statement added to the ongoing uncertainty about Khamenei’s condition and whereabouts.

Trump Urges Ships to Continue Through Strait of Hormuz

Trump also spoke about the challenges commercial ships are facing while travelling through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Many vessels have avoided the route because of rising tensions and fears of attacks during the conflict. However, Trump said ships should continue sailing through the narrow waterway and not show fear. "They should go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. They have no Navy and we sunk all their ships," the president was quoted as saying.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes. A large portion of global oil supply passes through it, making the route vital for international energy markets.

War Began After Strike on Iran’s Leadership

The current conflict escalated on February 28 after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. According to Washington and its allies, the attacks targeted Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The strikes killed Iran’s then supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for decades.

Following the attack, Iran responded with drone and missile strikes. The exchanges triggered a wider confrontation across the Gulf region. The fighting has continued to shake the region and affect global trade and energy markets.

Mojtaba Khamenei Chosen as Successor

A few days after Ali Khamenei’s death, Iranian authorities announced that his son Mojtaba would become the new supreme leader. Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have strong ties with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Analysts widely consider him even more hardline than his father.

In his recent statement, which a state television news anchor read out, Khamenei said he was maintaining a “file of revenge” against those responsible for the attacks.

Mystery Over His Whereabouts

Despite the statement attributed to him, questions remain about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health and location. He has not appeared on camera since the conflict began. The absence has fuelled speculation about his physical condition.

According to an Iranian ambassador, Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the same strike that killed his father and his wife. Since then, he has not been seen publicly. The lack of visual confirmation has continued to raise doubts about his current state even after the statement released in his name.