Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is currently battling severe and disfiguring injuries following a devastating airstrike, according to Reuters, as sources close to his inner circle revealed that the 56-year-old suffered significant facial and leg wounds. The attack occurred at the supreme leader’s compound in central Tehran on 28 February, the same day an explosion killed his father.
While the Iranian government remains silent, three anonymous sources provided detailed accounts of Khamenei’s physical state. They claim the leader suffered disfigurement to his face and serious damage to one or both legs. Furthermore, a source familiar with US intelligence told Reuters that Khamenei likely lost a leg during the assassination of his predecessor.
Despite these physical setbacks, insiders insist that the new leader remains mentally sharp and active in state affairs. He currently manages critical meetings via audio conferencing rather than appearing in person. Consequently, he continues to oversee major decisions regarding the war and high-stakes negotiations with Washington in Islamabad.
A Leader in the Shadows
The public has not seen or heard a recording of the leader since his appointment on March 8. This absence has fueled widespread speculation and “Where is Mojtaba?” memes across Iranian social media platforms. Moreover, state television referred to him as a “janbaz,” a term reserved for those who suffer major war wounds.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed these reports on 13 March, stating that Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured.” Nevertheless, supporters argue that he must keep a low profile to avoid further US or Israeli airstrikes. These strikes have already eliminated a significant portion of the country’s senior leadership.
Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, suggests that physical wounds may hinder his political power. He notes that the inexperienced leader lacks the automatic authority his father wielded for decades. Currently, the Revolutionary Guards appear to be the dominant voice in strategic decision-making during this conflict.
“Mojtaba will be one voice but it will not be the decisive one,” Vatanka told Reuters. Although Khamenei represents continuity, he must still prove himself as a credible and overriding voice for the regime. While the world waits for a visual sign of his recovery, the Revolutionary Guards continue to steer the nation through its gravest peril in decades.
