The statements of the Iranian authorities contradict the remarks made by U.S. representatives regarding Khamenei's health. On March 14, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, expressed doubts in an interview with NBC that the new Supreme Leader of Iran is alive. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also voiced his doubts, noting at a briefing that Mojtaba Khamenei, according to his information, had been "injured and possibly disfigured." He added that there are no video recordings or audio materials featuring Khamenei. The Iranian side has already denied such assumptions. On March 12, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei stated that the new Supreme Leader did indeed sustain injuries but is currently "in order." When asked about his absence from public view since taking office, Baghaei replied that he "doesn't think he feels comfortable giving a speech in such a condition." On the same day, Khamenei made his first official written statement, indicating the possibility of opening new fronts in the conflict with the U.S. and Israel. On March 11, a day before this, the son of the President of the Islamic Republic and government advisor Yousef Pezeshkian denied rumors about Khamenei's injury, stating that he is "safe and sound."
