By Muhammad Mamman
United States President Donald Trump has said he does not consider Mojtaba Khamenei to be Iran’s leader, deepening questions over Tehran’s leadership structure as tensions escalate.
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s status, with the Iranian figure yet to make a public appearance since his reported elevation to power, fuelling speculation over who truly holds authority in the country. 
The statement adds to mounting confusion within international circles, as Washington signals it may be engaging with alternative figures inside Iran’s political system rather than the presumed supreme leader. 
The development underscores widening cracks in clarity over Iran’s command structure at a critical moment in the conflict, raising fresh concerns about who is steering the country’s response on the global stage.
