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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, according to a TASS report. "We have indications that he is, obviously, they claim that he is. We don't have evidence that he's not," Rubio said in a Fox News interview, as reported by TASS.

The statement comes amid conflicting reports about Khamenei's status. Several TASS reports describe him as alive and active, while an analysis carried by the Jerusalem Post focuses on the "absence" of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and its implications for Iran's political structure.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, has published multiple articles portraying Mojtaba Khamenei as functioning in his role. One report dated May 10 says Khamenei issued new instructions to the military on deterring adversaries during a meeting with Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Ali Abdollahi. Another, dated May 7, quotes President Masoud Pezeshkian as disclosing a recent meeting with Khamenei, described as the first official account of a personal meeting between the two.

The Jerusalem Post's coverage takes a different angle, focusing on the political consequences of Khamenei's absence. An analysis it carried discusses the "absence of supreme leader Ali Khamenei" as a "structural test" of Iran's political system, suggesting the Revolutionary Guard emerges as the most capable actor to fill the power gap.

TASS also reports that on March 12, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the Supreme Leader had been wounded in US and Israeli strikes. Since then, according to the same report, Khamenei has not appeared publicly, with all statements issued in written form or read aloud.

Key Claims

  • Khamenei is alive: Rubio said the US believes Mojtaba Khamenei is alive, citing indications and lack of evidence to the contrary. (TASS)
  • Khamenei issued military instructions: A May 10 TASS report says Khamenei met with a military commander and issued instructions for "decisive resistance against Iran's enemies."
  • Khamenei met with the president: Pezeshkian revealed a recent meeting with Khamenei, lasting nearly two and a half hours in a relaxed atmosphere. (TASS)
  • Khamenei was wounded: The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on March 12 that Khamenei had been wounded in US-Israeli strikes. (TASS)
  • Khamenei was killed: A TASS report states that the February 28 strikes "resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."
  • The conflict: The US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28; Trump declared a two-week ceasefire on April 7; talks in Islamabad on April 11 failed to produce a long-term resolution; Trump announced on April 21 his intention to extend the ceasefire, but Iran does not recognize the unilateral extension.
  • Internal fragmentation: The Jerusalem Post analysis says Khamenei's absence represents a structural test, with the Revolutionary Guard emerging as the most capable actor to fill the power gap, but its rise fragments authority and increases strategic unpredictability.
  • Impact on oil: The Jerusalem Post analysis notes the conflict's impact on the Strait of Hormuz and global oil exports.

Perspectives

US Administration: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the US believes Khamenei is alive, stating there are indications he is and no evidence he is not.

Iranian Government: Through official statements and state media, Iran maintains that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and active, with reports of him issuing military instructions and meeting with the president. However, Iranian officials also acknowledged he was wounded in strikes and have not presented him publicly since March.

Jerusalem Post Analysis: The analysis emphasizes the political vacuum created by Khamenei's absence, focusing on the Revolutionary Guard's rise and the fragmentation of authority.

TASS Reporting: TASS articles provide a mix of official statements and state media reports, some describing Khamenei as alive and functioning, while one report notes his death in the February strikes, reflecting the contested nature of the information.