Trump Says Iran’s Top Leader Involved in Peace Talks, Injured in February Airstrike

President Donald Trump stated that Iran’s top leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is participating in peace talks with the United States and suffered injuries during a U.S.-Israeli airstrike earlier this year. Trump’s comments were made in an interview with The New York Post’s “Pod Force One,” published on June 3, 2026. According to the interview, Trump said Khamenei is “involved, absolutely” in negotiations, adding, “I think they have a lot of respect for him” [1].

Trump disclosed that Khamenei sustained injuries during the February 28 airstrike that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The president did not provide details on the extent of those injuries, but reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei suffered a fractured foot, facial lacerations, and a bruised eye in the attack [2]. Trump characterized Khamenei as “a very smart guy” and said he has not had “the privilege of meeting” him yet, though he expressed a desire to do so if peace talks progress [1].

Background on Mojtaba Khamenei

Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts after his father’s death in the February 28 airstrikes. The succession marked a historic hereditary transfer of power, reversing a core principle of the 1979 revolution that opposed dynastic rule [3]. Since assuming the position, Khamenei has not appeared in public, and his prolonged absence has fueled speculation about his health and authority [2].

Trump claimed that Khamenei “has a lot of respect” within Iran, though U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Iran’s clerical government remains cohesive and in control despite the loss of senior leaders [5]. Trump had previously opposed the succession of Ali Khamenei’s son, calling it “unacceptable” and demanding a personal role in selecting Iran’s next leader [4]. The new Supreme Leader has since threatened to continue leveraging the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic weapon against the U.S. and its allies [6].

Details of the February Airstrike

The airstrikes on February 28 were carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces as part of a joint military campaign, described by officials as “Operation Epic Fury” [7]. The strikes targeted Iranian military and leadership sites, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with top IRGC officials [8]. Iran initially denied Khamenei’s death but later retaliated by launching missile attacks across the Gulf and escalating regional hostilities [8].

Mojtaba Khamenei, who was present at the targeted site, suffered a fractured foot, facial lacerations, and a bruised eye, according to reports [2]. The assassination of the senior leader and the injury to his successor dealt a significant blow to Iran’s leadership structure, though the regime has maintained operational continuity. Additional airstrikes in the following days targeted a building linked to the Assembly of Experts while it was discussing succession [9]. The death of top security official Ali Larijani was confirmed by the IRGC on March 17, further degrading Iran’s command apparatus [10].

State of U.S.-Iran Peace Talks

Trump confirmed that negotiations with Iran are ongoing and that Mojtaba Khamenei is directly involved in the process. The talks aim to address Iran’s nuclear program, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and regional de-escalation [11]. Trump has stated that a peace deal has been “largely negotiated, subject to finalization,” though Iran’s Fars news agency has repeatedly called such statements “incomplete and inconsistent with reality” [12]. The administration has issued ultimatums, including demands that Iran hand over its enriched uranium for destruction [13].

Previous rounds of talks had stalled before the February airstrikes, and the conflict has since disrupted global energy markets, with oil prices spiking above $100 per barrel [14]. Trump has projected a quick end to the conflict, forecasting a drop in oil prices once a deal is reached [14]. However, Iran has signaled that negotiations are conditional, with senior officials warning that any final agreement must include an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon [15]. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint, as Iran continues to block the waterway and seek fees for its reopening [16].

Assessment of Khamenei’s Role

Trump described Khamenei as “a very smart guy” and said “they have a lot of respect for him” during the Pod Force One interview [1]. The president suggested that Khamenei is giving his approval during negotiations, despite not being in the best health. Trump added that he has not yet met Khamenei but would like to if the talks conclude successfully [1].

U.S. officials have not independently verified Khamenei’s condition or degree of involvement in the talks. Iran’s government has not issued an official response to Trump’s claims about Khamenei’s role, and the new Supreme Leader has remained out of public view since his appointment [2]. The lack of transparency has created uncertainty about the leadership’s stability, although U.S. intelligence assesses that the clerical government remains cohesive [5].

Implications for Regional Stability

The peace talks occur amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatening to assassinate any successor to Ali Khamenei [17]. Trump has reportedly clashed with Netanyahu over Israeli military actions in Lebanon, which have complicated the negotiations [18]. Iran has suspended talks at times in response to what it views as ceasefire violations, including U.S. strikes on its territory [19].

Analysts suggest that Khamenei’s participation could signal a shift in Iran’s leadership approach toward a more pragmatic diplomatic posture, though the regime has also hardened its stance on nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz [20]. The conflict has triggered the worst oil supply crisis in history, with global markets grappling with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz [21]. No timeline for a final agreement has been announced, and the situation remains volatile as tit-for-tat strikes continue [22].

References

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