Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei Injured But ‘Safe And Sound’ – President’s Son

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly sustained injuries but remains “safe and sound,” according to Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of the country’s president.

The disclosure on Wednesday marked the first official explanation for the absence of the 56-year-old leader from public view since his appointment over the weekend.

Yousef Pezeshkian, who also serves as a government adviser, revealed the information in a post on his Telegram channel after reports surfaced that the new supreme leader had been injured.

He wrote, “I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections.

“They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound.”

Mojtaba Khamenei, previously known as a powerful but largely behind-the-scenes figure in Iranian politics, was named the country’s supreme leader after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei.

Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in an air strike at the start of the ongoing United States-Israel war against the Islamic Republic.

The younger Khamenei’s appointment by Iran’s clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, had sparked widespread speculation after he failed to appear publicly or deliver an address following his selection.

State television earlier described him as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” referring to the conflict that erupted during the Muslim holy month of fasting.

However, details about the nature of his injuries were not disclosed.

According to a report by the New York Times, which cited three unnamed Iranian officials, Khamenei had sustained injuries, including to his legs.

The report stated that he remained “alert and sheltering at a highly secure location with limited communication.”

There is believe he may have been injured during the air strike on a compound in Tehran that killed his father, as well as his mother and wife, on February 28, the first day of the war.

Since his appointment, Khamenei’s image has appeared on giant billboards across Tehran, including one depicting him symbolically receiving the national flag from his father while Iran’s revolutionary founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, looks on.

Supporters of the government also carried posters of him during a large rally in central Tehran on Monday.

However, the new leader’s emergence has also sparked opposition in parts of the capital, with reports of night-time chants of “Death to Mojtaba!” reflecting public resentment toward a figure believed to have played a key role in suppressing anti-government protests since 2009.

Security analysts say the new supreme leader is likely to remain out of public view for some time due to fears of assassination.

The supreme leader position in Iran is held for life and also serves as the highest religious authority for Shia Muslims in the country.

Emile Hokayem of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said Khamenei would likely remain in hiding following the attack that killed his family.

“I expect him to sit in a bunker somewhere for a very long time because he saw what happened to his father, his wife, his mother, who were all killed in the initial attack.

“Killing him early is certainly an Israeli priority. If he survives, he becomes a totem, a testimony to the resilience of the system,” Hokayem added during an online event organised by the think tank.

Hokayem said national security chief Ali Larijani could take charge of running government affairs, while parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf may oversee the war effort.

Following his appointment, Iran’s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pledged allegiance to Khamenei.

Support also came from Tehran-backed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, also promised what he described as “unwavering support” to Iran.

Before Khamenei’s appointment, United States President, Donald Trump, had warned that the Iranian cleric would be “unacceptable” as the country’s next supreme leader.

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump told ABC News on Sunday.

“If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”