Washington DC, June 2 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said he believes Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and is becoming "increasingly engaging" in leadership matters amid negotiations between both sides to achieve a complete settlement to the overall conflict in West Asia.

Marco Rubio made the remarks while addressing the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noting indications of continued involvement from the Iranian leadership amid ongoing regional tensions.

"I think there are indications out there that he (Mojtaba Khamenei) is increasingly engaging at some level," Rubio told lawmakers.

The comments come amid speculation over the status of Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since sust...