President Trump was stunned to learn that US intelligence indicates new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may be gay — and that his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, feared his suitability to rule the Islamic Republic for that reason. https://t.co/e4HmkZIMcm pic.twitter.com/qWDITvcI6e
— New York Post (@nypost) March 16, 2026
Donald Trump was reportedly briefed by US intelligence alleging that Mojtaba Khamenei, the new leader of Iran, may be gay, a claim based on intelligence sources but not publicly verified.
Donald Trump was reportedly briefed by US intelligence officials that Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, may be gay, according to sources familiar with the classified discussion. The briefing allegedly prompted surprise and laughter among some officials present.
The claim, described as intelligence rather than confirmed evidence, reportedly suggests Khamenei may have had a long-term relationship with a man connected to his family. Sources cited in the report said the information came from what they described as a highly protected intelligence source.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in an airstrike linked to the US operation known as Operation Epic Fury. His leadership comes as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear and military programmes.