Close sources say the new supreme leader is recovering from severe facial and leg injuries after a late February airstrike. Official confirmation remains absent.
The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, continues to recover from serious facial and lower limb injuries sustained during an airstrike at the start of the war, in which his father was killed.
According to Reuters, citing three people close to the younger Khamenei, the strike occurred during an air raid on the residence in central Tehran in late February. The sources noted that the Iranian leader sustained facial injuries and injuries to one or both legs; some sources even suggested the possible loss of a leg.
The 56-year-old Khamenei continues to recover and is fully conscious, according to his associates. He participates in meetings via audio conferences and is involved in decisions on important issues, including the war and negotiations with Washington.
According to Reuters, this is the most detailed description of the leader’s condition in recent weeks, though independent confirmation of the information is lacking.
There is no official information about Khamenei’s health at this time. Since the air strike and the appointment of the new leader on March 8, no photos, videos, or audio recordings featuring the leader have been published. The Iranian mission to the UN did not respond to reporters’ inquiries about the injuries and the reasons for the absence of public appearances.
According to a diplomatic note based on data from American and Israeli intelligence and transmitted to Gulf allies, Mojtaba Khamenei is in a critical, unconscious state. Medical aid is being provided to him in the city of Qom, about 140 km from Tehran.
On February 28, the United States and Israel carried out joint strikes on regime facilities in Iran. In response, Iran attacked American bases in Persian Gulf countries – in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan.
IRNA, the Islamic Republic News Agency, confirmed that the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died in the morning of February 28, after which his son Mojtaba Khamenei was announced as the new leader.
Context of events and world expectations
The health of Khamenei and the next steps remain a matter of keen global interest, with the international community awaiting official statements from Tehran and news from official sources.
Ultimately, current reports indicate a prolonged wait for developments, and official details about the leader’s health and status have not yet been provided.