Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from severe facial and leg injuries sustained in an airstrike that killed his father, according to multiple reports. The attack on February 28 also claimed the lives of Khamenei's wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law.
Key Takeaways
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from severe facial and leg injuries sustained in an airstrike that killed his father. He remains mentally sharp and involved in decision-making but has not appeared publicly since the attack.
- Mojtaba Khamenei suffered severe facial disfigurement and leg injuries in the February 28 airstrike
- He is participating in meetings via audio conferencing and making key decisions about war and negotiations with Washington
- No official photos, videos, or recordings of Khamenei have been released since his appointment on March 8
- U.S. officials confirm he was wounded but offer varying details about the extent of his injuries
Three sources close to Khamenei's inner circle told Reuters that he suffered significant injuries to one or both legs and facial disfigurement. Despite his condition, the 56-year-old remains mentally sharp and is actively participating in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing. He is engaged in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations with Washington.
The extent of Khamenei's injuries has not been officially confirmed by Iran. However, a newsreader on state television described him as a 'janbaz,' a term used for those badly wounded in war, after he was named supreme leader. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that Khamenei was 'wounded and likely disfigured.' A source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments told Reuters that Khamenei is believed to have lost a leg.
Khamenei's whereabouts, condition, and ability to rule remain largely unknown to the public. No photos, videos, or audio recordings of him have been released since his appointment on March 8. The Iranian United Nations mission did not respond to inquiries about the extent of his injuries or why he has not appeared in any images or recordings.
The Revolutionary Guards, who helped steer Khamenei into the top job after his father's assassination, have emerged as a dominant voice on strategic decisions during the war. Analysts suggest that while Khamenei is seen to represent continuity with his father's hardline approach, it could take years for him to build up the same level of automatic authority.
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