TEHRAN: Iran’s newly declared Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly “safe and sound” despite circulating reports suggesting he was injured during the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, addressed the speculation on Wednesday through a message posted on his Telegram channel. He said he had contacted individuals with reliable connections to confirm the leader’s condition.
“I heard news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured,” Pezeshkian wrote. “I asked some friends who had relevant contacts, and they told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound.”
The statement came after Iranian state television referred to Mojtaba Khamenei as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” a phrase that fueled speculation about possible injuries. However, state media did not clarify the nature or severity of any wounds.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, assumed the role of Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who reportedly died in U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Those strikes sparked a broader regional conflict that escalated tensions across the Middle East.
Despite being declared the country’s new top authority on Sunday, Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet made a public appearance or delivered a formal address to the Iranian nation. His absence from public view has intensified speculation about his health and whereabouts, according to AFP.
Meanwhile, a report published Wednesday by The New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries during the conflict, including wounds to his legs.
According to the report, he remains alert but is currently sheltering in a highly secure location with limited communications.
Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed details about any injuries, leaving uncertainty surrounding the leader’s condition as the region continues to deal with the aftermath of the conflict.
