TEHRAN, April 11: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly recovering from severe facial and leg injuries sustained in an airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Khomeini, at the start of the war, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The strike allegedly hit the Supreme Leader’s compound in central Tehran on February 28, the first day of the US- and Israel-led conflict.
People familiar with his inner circle said the blast left Mojtaba Khamenei’s face disfigured and caused serious injuries to one or both legs. Some reports claim he may have lost a leg.
His wife and other close family members, including a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, were reportedly killed in the same attack.
Despite his injuries, he is said to remain mentally alert and continues to participate in governance through audio conferences with senior officials, including discussions on the war and negotiations with Washington.
There has been no official Iranian confirmation of the extent of his injuries, and no photos, videos, or audio recordings of him have been released since the strike, increasing uncertainty about his condition.
Iran’s UN mission has not responded to inquiries, while US officials have suggested he was seriously wounded. Iran’s state media has only indirectly referenced him, describing him as a “janbaz,” a term used for severely war-injured individuals.
Reports also suggest he may have been formally appointed Supreme Leader on March 8, though his authority is still seen as developing.
A senior Iranian official indicated that images of him could be released within months, depending on security and health conditions.
Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to consolidate full authority. Experts from the Middle East Institute argue he does not yet command the same control as his father, and that real power is increasingly shared with institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards, which have become more influential during the war.
His limited public communication includes written statements calling for strategic actions such as keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed and urging resistance against US presence.
However, most major policy messaging continues to come from other senior officials, reflecting a shifting power structure.
His prolonged absence from public view has fuelled speculation within Iran, with widespread online discussions questioning his condition and role in the country’s leadership transition. (Agencies)
