India, June 2 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is alive and has been increasingly active in the country's political affairs, even as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain stalled.

Speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said there were "indications" that Mojtaba Khamenei has begun taking a more direct role in governance.

"I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level," Rubio told lawmakers, suggesting that the Iranian leadership structure continues to evolve despite recent turmoil.

His remarks come amid continued uncertainty over Iran's internal power dynamics following reported injuries sustained ...