Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Wounded, Son Says He Is Safe

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly injured in his legs during the opening day of US-Israeli strikes on the country, according to reports by The New York Times citing both Israeli and Iranian sources.

Khamenei, 56, was announced as the successor to his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war. The younger Khamenei has not appeared in public or issued statements since his appointment, over 48 hours after being named supreme leader.

While reports suggested Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded, including in his legs, concerns were also raised that public appearances could make him a target. Previous state media references described him as “janbaz,” or wounded by the enemy, though no details were provided about the severity or circumstances of the injuries.

Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iran’s president and a government adviser, addressed the reports on his Telegram channel, saying:

“I heard news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I asked some friends who had connections. They told me, thank God, he is safe and sound.”

His statement did not deny the reports of injury but reassured that the supreme leader’s condition is stable.

Though relatively obscure to many Iranians, Mojtaba Khamenei has long been a key figure in the administration of his father’s office. Senior Iranian sources said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps supported his nomination, viewing him as a more compliant figure who would back hardline policies, overriding concerns from pragmatists within the government.