Questions are growing in Iran over the condition and whereabouts of the country’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, amid reports that he was seriously injured in an airstrike.
According to the report, the United States and Israel began joint strikes on Iran on February 28. It said Iran’s then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the first day of attacks, and Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was selected as his successor on March 8.
Since then, Mojtaba has not appeared in public. Statements, videos and audio releases have been issued in his name, but the report noted that even his voice has not been heard in them.
An Iranian private news agency, citing sources, claimed the airstrike caused severe facial injuries and damage to one or both legs, with his face said to have been disfigured. Iranian officials have reportedly maintained that he is conscious, actively taking decisions, and joining high-level meetings via audio conferencing, including on the ongoing war and talks with the United States.
However, the report added that Iranian authorities have not officially released details about Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries so far.
