Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, was reportedly injured during the first wave of Israeli attacks earlier in the conflict. The news has raised questions about his health and ability to lead the country during a difficult time.
Reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei suffered a broken leg and facial injuries during the attack. However, his condition is not critical. According to Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the new leader continues to guide the country’s military and political operations.
Larijani said that despite the incident, Mojtaba Khamenei is still giving instructions and approving key decisions related to the ongoing conflict. Iranian authorities have tried to show that the government is functioning normally and that the country’s leadership remains stable.
The attack that injured Mojtaba Khamenei also caused major losses for his family. His father, Ali Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s supreme leader for decades, was killed during the same strike. Several other members of the family also died, including his wife Zahra Haddad-Adel, one of his sons, his sister, his brother-in-law and a niece.
Reports say Mojtaba Khamenei’s mother survived the attack but later died from her injuries three days afterward. The strike also destroyed the office of the supreme leader, which was almost completely burned in the attack.
Observers believe the tragic losses and injuries may have affected the timing of Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new leader. The decision was made by the Assembly of Experts, a council of 88 clerics responsible for selecting the country’s supreme leader.
Western intelligence officials believe Mojtaba Khamenei has been staying away from public appearances because of security concerns and the risk of possible assassination attempts.
Meanwhile, the leadership change has drawn strong reactions from abroad. Donald Trump, president of the United States, criticized Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the new leader.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said he was “not happy” with the choice and claimed that the new Iranian leader may not be able to “live in peace.”
As tensions continue in the region, Iran’s leadership transition and the health of its new supreme leader remain closely watched by governments around the world.