President Donald Trump reportedly reacted with surprise and laughter last week during an intelligence briefing where officials presented information suggesting that Iran’s newly ascended Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may be gay. The briefing, which occurred in early March 2026, involved senior U.S. intelligence officials who detailed findings regarding Khamenei's personal life.
"If there was ever a time where it was OK to out someone, it would be a leader of a regime that executes people for being gay." — Source familiar with U.S. intelligence briefing
Sources familiar with the discussion indicated that the intelligence claim is considered credible by U.S. intelligence agencies and was not viewed as disinformation. According to these sources, President Trump laughed aloud when the information was presented, and others in the room also reportedly reacted with amusement. One senior intelligence official was noted to have continued joking about the revelation after the briefing concluded.
The intelligence reportedly suggests that Mojtaba Khamenei may have engaged in a long-term relationship with a man who served as his childhood tutor. Another source indicated the relationship might have involved a former employee connected to the Khamenei family. While U.S. officials reportedly do not possess photographic evidence to confirm these claims, sources familiar with the intelligence assert that it originated from a highly protected and reliable source. "The fact that this was elevated to the highest levels shows there is confidence in the information," one source stated, underscoring the weight given to the intelligence.
Rumors regarding Mojtaba Khamenei's personal life have reportedly circulated quietly within Iran for years. These whispers gained renewed prominence following the 2024 helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Raisi had been widely considered a leading candidate to succeed Ali Khamenei as Iran’s supreme leader. Following the death of the elder Khamenei in a February 28, 2026 airstrike, Mojtaba was elevated to the position of Supreme Leader. He is also believed to have sustained injuries in the same attack that killed his father and other family members.
Further claims, cited by the New York Post, suggest Mojtaba Khamenei made "aggressive" sexual advances toward male caregivers while recovering from his injuries, possibly under the influence of heavy medication. Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed these allegations. However, a previously leaked diplomatic cable from 2008 reportedly referenced health issues related to Mojtaba Khamenei’s marriage, indicating he sought medical treatment in the United Kingdom for impotence before eventually fathering children. Despite these historical reports, his personal life has largely remained a closely guarded secret within Iran.
The implications of the intelligence are significant, particularly given Iran’s stringent laws against homosexuality. In Iran, homosexual acts are illegal and can carry severe penalties, including execution, under the country’s strict Islamic laws. Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad famously claimed in the past that “in Iran, we don’t have homosexuals.” Critics of the Iranian government have seized upon these laws, highlighting what they view as profound hypocrisy if the allegations concerning Mojtaba Khamenei prove to be true.
One source familiar with the intelligence briefing commented on the ethical considerations, stating, "If there was ever a time where it was OK to out someone, it would be a leader of a regime that executes people for being gay." This sentiment reflects a broader discussion about using such sensitive personal information in geopolitical contexts, especially against regimes with documented human rights abuses.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s current location and medical condition remain unclear following the February 28 airstrike. He is widely anticipated to adopt a hardline stance against the United States and its allies, continuing the confrontational posture of the Iranian regime. President Donald Trump has previously criticized Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as an “unacceptable” choice to lead Iran. This latest revelation about his alleged personal life comes at a time when tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain exceptionally high, exacerbated by recent events such as the launch of Operation Epic Fury. The intelligence surrounding Khamenei adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile relationship between the two nations.
