Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is recovering from severe facial and leg injuries sustained during the joint Israeli-U.S. airstrike that killed his father in late February.
Citing sources close to the leader’s inner circle, Reuters reports that the 56-year-old was disfigured in the attack and suffered significant damage to one or both legs. Despite these injuries, he is described as "mentally sharp" and is actively leading the country through recovery.
Since taking office on March 8, Mojtaba has not appeared in public. No current photos or videos have been released, sparking widespread speculation about his stability. However, insiders claim he is managing state affairs via audio conferences, focusing on The ongoing conflict with Western and regional forces. Peace negotiations with Washington, currently hosted in Islamabad.
The precise nature of his condition remains a subject of international debate. On March 13, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth suggested the leader might be paralyzed. Further U.S. intelligence assessments shared with Reuters indicate he may have lost a leg. The CIA has declined to comment on these specifics.
The transition of power followed the February 28 "Operation Epic Fury," a massive airstrike on Tehran that killed then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While Mojtaba narrowly escaped the blast, his health now stands as a central question as Iran enters critical ceasefire talks in Pakistan this Saturday.
