Since his recent appointment by the Assembly of Experts, Iran’s new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has not made any public appearances, leading to widespread speculation regarding his health and whereabouts in the aftermath of the attack that claimed the life of his father, the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Survival amid chaos
Initial reports indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei perished alongside his father during US-Israeli strikes on Tehran last Saturday. However, it has since come to light that while his father, mother, wife, and possibly other family members were killed, Mojtaba survived the assault. His selection as his father’s successor occurred under a cloud of secrecy, with no public details shared about the deliberations of the Assembly of Experts. The situation was further complicated when a bombing destroyed the assembly’s building in Qom, raising concerns about the status of all 88 members.
In the days following his appointment, no video messages, written statements, or recent photographs of Mojtaba Khamenei have emerged. Instead, a cardboard cutout featuring his image was displayed during his inauguration, which has fueled speculation about his current state. Observers are concerned that he may be severely injured or incapacitated.
Conflicting reports on his health
Reports regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s health continue to surface. Alireza Salarian, Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, stated in an interview,
“I’ve heard his legs and arms were injured. I think he’s in the hospital because he was wounded.”
Meanwhile, Yousef Pezeshkian, an adviser to President Masoud Pezeshkian, claimed via his Telegram channel that Mojtaba is “safe and in a secure location,” according to informed sources.
International media outlets have reported that Mojtaba sustained a fractured foot and minor facial injuries, including bruising around one eye and superficial cuts. Iran’s state television briefly acknowledged his injuries after his appointment but provided few details. Notably, state-run media referred to him as “janbaz,” a term used for Iran’s disabled war veterans, heightening concerns regarding the severity of his condition.
Since his appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei has been conspicuously absent from memorial services honoring senior military commanders killed during the initial strikes. Ambassador Salarian suggested this absence is due to the new Ayatollah’s discomfort with public speaking, stating,
“I don’t think he would be comfortable giving speeches in any situation.”
This reticence is unusual for a figure in his position, as the Ayatollah typically addresses the nation publicly.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding his health, questions about the circumstances of his selection as Supreme Leader remain. According to Salarian, the late Ali Khamenei opposed dynastic succession. He noted that senior clerics pressured Mojtaba to assume leadership after the attack, framing it as a duty despite claims that Ali Khamenei left no specific directives regarding his successor.
Reports from UK-based Amwaj Media suggest that the late Supreme Leader’s will included criteria for his successor, such as prior governance experience, which Mojtaba allegedly does not meet. The appointment reportedly gained traction through the influence of Hossein Taeb, a close ally and former head of the IRGC’s intelligence organization, suggesting that the Assembly of Experts was under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards. Opposition to Mojtaba’s selection has been voiced by notable figures, including Ali Larijani, a key powerbroker in Tehran.
As the situation unfolds, crucial information about Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, location, and ability to perform his duties remains shrouded in mystery. Analysts continue to speculate about his potential ongoing medical care or his possible secure placement for safety reasons.