Trump says he believes Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded
Donald Trump told Glenn Beck he thinks Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but badly wounded and repeated claims about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on August 26, 2026 that he believes Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader’s son in Iran, is alive but suffered serious wounds to the left side of his body, during comments to political commentator Glenn Beck.
“I don’t think Mojtaba Khamenei is dead.
He was very seriously wounded, left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing was seriously wounded.
But I don’t think he is dead.
If he is dead, they are putting on a pretty good show because they are talking…”
Trump repeats other claims about the conflict and shipping
Trump also suggested that if Mojtaba Khamenei had in fact died, Iranian officials were staging appearances and statements to create the impression that he remained alive — including mentions of "returning and speaking with him to receive his last blessings," a claim he raised during the interview.
Separately, the president reiterated that a war with Iran would conclude relatively quickly and repeated his administration’s claim that the United States had reopened the Strait of Hormuz. He said "ten million barrels" of oil were transported through the strategic waterway "yesterday" and that "22 ships" had passed through overnight, and added: "We won in Venezuela and very soon we will have a big victory here."
On August 9, Iran published video footage showing Mojtaba Khamenei appearing and addressing a crowd; analysts have disputed whether that material was recorded before the outbreak of hostilities.
Photo: MORTEZA NIKOUBAZL / Sipa Press / Profimedia
