Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in a February 28 airstrike that killed his father, the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several family members, Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus Alireza Salarian said.
The strike came during US-led air operations targeting Iran, when the supreme leader’s residential compound in central Tehran was hit. The attack reportedly leveled a residence where several members of Khamenei’s family had gathered.
Speaking to The Guardian, Salarian confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei was present during the attack and survived with injuries.
“He was also there and he was injured in that bombing, but I didn’t see it reflected in the foreign news,” Salarian said.
Injury and hospitalization
According to the ambassador, the newly appointed leader suffered injuries on multiple parts of his body and is believed to be receiving treatment.
“I heard he was injured in his legs, hand and arm… I think he’s in the hospital because he’s injured,” Salarian told the reporter.
The injuries may explain why Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public appearance or spoken since being elected Iran’s new supreme leader.
“I don’t think he would be comfortable (under any circumstances) giving a speech,” Salarian added.
Family members are among the dead
The airstrike reportedly killed six members of the Khamenei family who were inside the residence at the time. Among the dead were Ali Khamenei’s wife, daughter, son-in-law and young grandchild.
Salarian described the scene during the attack: “The Supreme Leader was killed along with his wife, his daughter, his son-in-law and his daughter’s 14-month-old baby.”
Confirmation from Iranian officials
Earlier in the week, Yousef Pezeshkian, a senior adviser and son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledged reports that Mojtaba Khamenei had been wounded.
In a message on Telegram, he wrote: “I heard reports that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. I asked some friends who had contacts. They told me that he is safe and sound thanks to God.”
Trump’s reaction
The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader drew criticism from US President Donald Trump, who called the selection of the cleric by Iran’s assembly of experts unacceptable.
“He’s not going to last long,” Trump said.
