Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded in his leg on the first day of the war and thus, in particular, has not appeared in public or made any statements since his election, the New York Times reported, citing three Iranian sources.
According to the New York Times’s interlocutors, they were informed of Khamenei’s infection by “high-ranking government figures.” They claim that Iran’s new supreme leader is conscious and holed up in a very secure place with limited means of communication.
Israel also came to the conclusion that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded on February 28, the New York Times wrote, citing two Israeli military officials.
Among the indirect confirmations of the injury of the new Supreme Leader, as the newspaper notes, was his mention on state television and in the state-run IRNA agency – where, after his election, Khamenei was called a “wounded veteran.” In addition, a congratulatory statement issued by the Imdad Committee, an influential government religious charity, referred to Khamenei as a Persian term for a veteran wounded in war.
Iran denies that Khamenei was injured. The son of the President of the Islamic Republic, Youssef Pezeshkian, said that the new Supreme Leader is in good health. “I heard the news of Mr. Mojtaba’s injury and asked the friends who communicate with him, and they said that, thanks to God, he is in good health and there are no problems.” books He is on his Telegram channel on March 10.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured on March 7, citing sources. Mojtaba Khamenei was then considered the main contender for the position of Supreme Leader of Iran, which was held by his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 as a result of an Israeli air strike.
On March 8, Iran announced the election of a new supreme leader. The next day, his name was announced – he became the second son of Ali Khamenei, 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced its allegiance to Iran’s new supreme leader.