Mojtaba Khamenei, recently appointed as Iran’s supreme leader, reportedly sustained a broken leg, a bruised eye, and facial lacerations during the initial round of airstrikes by the United States and Israel. The injuries occurred on February 28 while Khamenei was in a heavily protected area, according to an Iranian official’s statement.
This marks the first acknowledgment of Khamenei’s condition by Iranian sources after earlier claims suggested he was seriously hurt and possibly unconscious. As it stands, he has not made any public appearances or issued statements.
Reports from Israeli media indicate that Khamenei suffered leg injuries early in the conflict, and further accounts detail a bruise near his left eye along with minor facial cuts.
These injuries happened during the same attack that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, and Iranian ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian. Additional casualties included his father’s daughter, grandson, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law. This has understandably cast a shadow over his new position.
While Iranian officials assert that Khamenei is awake and in good health, some, like Salarian, have suggested that the injuries may hinder his ability to communicate effectively, which could explain his lack of public engagement.
Salarian noted, “I don’t think he would be comfortable giving a speech (under any circumstances),” which really makes you ponder the challenges he’s facing at such a crucial time.
The true severity of Khamenei’s injuries and overall health remains uncertain. Notably, he was absent from a rally in Tehran on Monday celebrating his leadership, an event that drew thousands of supporters, which is quite striking.
At the rally, attendees were met not with Khamenei himself but with a portrait of him, surprisingly dwarfed by a large image of his father that took center stage.
With his recent ascension, Khamenei has emerged as a target for both the U.S. and Israel. President Trump has previously denounced him as an “unacceptable” leader, suggesting that without Washington’s blessing, Khamenei’s tenure may be short-lived.
