In a shocking turn of events, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, sustained injuries during an attack on February 28 that claimed the lives of six family members, including his father. Teheran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, confirmed the incident.
In a detailed interview at his embassy in Nicosia, Salarian provided insights regarding the circumstances surrounding Khamenei’s injury, stating that he was fortunate to survive the assault, which destroyed the residence of the late ayatollah.
“He was there during the bombardment and suffered injuries, but this hasn’t been reported in international media,” Salarian mentioned. “I have been told that he experienced injuries to his legs, hand, and arm. He is likely in a hospital due to these injuries.”
When asked about Khamenei’s absence from public appearances or statements since assuming his father’s role, Salarian remarked, “I don’t think he feels well enough to deliver a speech.”
The attack coincided with the commencement of US-led airstrikes against Iran, targeting the extensive presidential complex in Tehran. It was reported to be the 10th day of Ramadan, a significant time, during which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was in residence with several relatives, including Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra, and their teenage son, Mohammad Bagher, who also perished in the attack.
Reports from Iranian media indicate that Ali Khamenei’s wife, Mansour, succumbed to her injuries three days after the aerial strike.
“The [late] supreme leader was lost alongside his wife, their daughter, their son-in-law, and their 14-month-old grandchild,” said Salarian, who was present in Iran when the hostilities began. “They were all inside their home near the presidential office. Numerous high-ranking commanders who had been invited were also killed. The late supreme leader had four sons and two daughters and lived in the same location where he worked.”
On Wednesday, Yousef Pezeshkian, a senior government adviser and the president’s son, confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured but did not elaborate on the details. He shared on his Telegram channel, “I have received news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. I checked in with some acquaintances; thankfully, he is safe and sound.” An official told Reuters that Khamenei was “lightly injured” but remained active in his duties.
Earlier in the week, Iranian state television referred to the new leader as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” without detailing his injuries.
US President Donald Trump criticized Mojtaba Khamenei’s election by an 88-member clerical committee, labeling it as “an unacceptable choice” and doubting his longevity in power.
Israel has issued warnings that it would not hesitate to eliminate the Shia cleric, presumed to exhibit similar hardline views as his father, who held the supreme leadership position for 37 years following the Islamic revolution.
Salarian expressed to the Guardian that the late ayatollah had not intended for his son to assume leadership. “High-ranking clergy did express this wish to him, but he declined because he opposed a hereditary system. He was elected. After the attack, senior clergy insisted, ‘This is your duty; you must comply.’”
Western intelligence agencies believe that the new leader is being deliberately kept from public appearances to mitigate the risk of an assassination attempt. “I’m not sure how he feels, but it is widely acknowledged that the US and especially Israel will target him,” the ambassador stated.
Salarian estimated that the conflict in Iran has resulted in approximately 1,400 casualties as of Tuesday, indicating that Tehran, with a population of 14 million, has lost “nearly half of its residents,” fleeing to other regions due to the bombings.
The attacks not only caught the nation’s political and diplomatic elites off guard despite the regional military buildup but also demonstrated that, in contrast to his predecessors, Trump does not uphold the rule of law. “No one anticipated the strikes, especially after we completed a third round of negotiations in Geneva,” he noted, while praising the leadership of Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
Dismissing claims that Iran aims to develop nuclear weapons, he asserted: “The late supreme leader made it clear that we will not pursue nuclear arms as it contradicts our religious code, which forbids their use.”
He emphasized Iran’s amicable relations with Cyprus, despite the complications due to British military bases on the Mediterranean island. He alleged that these bases had facilitated logistical support for Israeli and US military operations targeting Iran last June.
However, he mentioned that to date, no evidence supports the claim that these military bases participated in the recent attack.
RAF Akrotiri experienced an assault from an Iranian-made Shahed drone shortly after midnight on February 28, and similar drones had been intercepted by British fighter jets the following day.
While blaming militia groups in Lebanon for the strikes—entities he claimed were not coordinated with Iran—he suggested without evidence that Israel could have “staged” the attack.
“Should these bases in Cyprus be utilized against us, we reserve the right to respond. This is well known, as our officials have stated. Iran is not behind these drone attacks and has clearly announced that. It’s plausible that [the attacks] originated from Israel as part of a strategy to embroil other nations in this conflict.”
Key Takeaways
- Mojtaba Khamenei was injured during an attack that led to the death of several family members.
- The assault coincided with the commencement of US-led airstrikes against Iran.
- Khamenei’s illness has curtailed public appearances.
- The new supreme leader is under heightened security scrutiny due to assassination concerns.
- Tehran has experienced significant population displacement as a result of the conflict.
FAQ
What injuries did Mojtaba Khamenei sustain?
He reportedly sustained injuries to his legs, hand, and arm.
What has been the international response to Khamenei’s leadership?
US President Donald Trump criticized his election, calling it an “unacceptable choice.”
Why is Khamenei being kept from the public eye?
Concerns over potential assassination attempts have led to a cautious approach regarding his public appearances.
What are Iran’s views on nuclear weapons?
Iran denies any intention of developing nuclear weapons, citing religious codes that prohibit their use.
In summary, the events surrounding the recent attack and the injuries to Mojtaba Khamenei have sent shockwaves through Iran. With geopolitical tensions high, the situation remains fluid and closely monitored by international observers.
