Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Injured But Survives Airstrike That Killed Family Members

Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, sustained injuries but survived the airstrike that killed his father and several family members at the onset of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, according to official sources.

The development was reported by The Guardian newspaper.

Mojtaba Khamenei has not made any public appearance or statement since his appointment as Supreme Leader on Sunday, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on February 28 when the conflict began.

In a Telegram post, Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iran’s president and a government adviser, said he had received confirmation that the new leader survived the attack despite being wounded.

“I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections,” Pezeshkian wrote. “They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound.”

Iran’s Ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, also confirmed that Khamenei was wounded during the bombardment that killed members of his family.

“He was also there and he was injured in that bombardment but I haven’t seen that reflected in the foreign news,” Salarian told The Guardian on Wednesday.

Family Members Killed in Strike

According to Iranian authorities, the strike on the Khamenei family compound in central Tehran killed several relatives, including Mojtaba’s wife and mother. The attack occurred at the start of the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and the United States and Israel.

The incident triggered widespread speculation online about Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, with some rumours claiming he might have died alongside other family members.

Iranian state television later described him as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” referring to the conflict that erupted during the Muslim holy month, though it did not disclose further details about his injuries.

Mixed Public Reactions in Iran

Since his appointment as Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei’s image has appeared prominently across Tehran. Large billboards in the city depict him symbolically receiving the Iranian national flag from his father while Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding leader of the Islamic Republic, looks on.

Thousands of pro-government supporters displayed posters of him during a major rally held in central Tehran on Monday.

However, reports indicate significant opposition to his leadership among segments of the population. Residents in parts of the capital have reportedly shouted “Death to Mojtaba!” during night-time protests, reflecting public anger toward a figure widely believed to have played a role in suppressing anti-government protests since 2009.

Reports of Injuries and Hidden Location

According to The New York Times, which cited three unnamed Iranian officials, Mojtaba Khamenei suffered injuries, including wounds to his legs, during the attack. The report said he was “alert and sheltering at a highly secure location with limited communication.”

Two Israeli military officials also reportedly told the newspaper that intelligence assessments suggested Khamenei had sustained leg injuries.

Analysts suggest the new leader may remain hidden for some time due to fears of further assassination attempts.

Emile Hokayem, an analyst with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, said the new Supreme Leader would likely avoid public appearances for security reasons.

“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,” Hokayem said during an online event organised by the think tank.

“Killing him early is certainly an Israeli priority. If he survives, he becomes a totem, a testimony to the resilience of the system.”

Hokayem said Mojtaba Khamenei may delegate significant authority to other top officials, including national security chief Ali Larijani and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Following his appointment, Iran’s military and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pledged allegiance to him. Tehran-backed allies, including the Houthi movement in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, also declared support.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly promised “unwavering support” to the new Iranian leadership.

Before Mojtaba’s appointment, US President Donald Trump had warned that his emergence as Supreme Leader would be unacceptable to Washington.

“If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long,” Trump told ABC News on Sunday.

Iran’s Supreme Leader is selected by an 88-member council of Islamic clerics and holds the position for life. The office is the highest authority in the country’s political and religious hierarchy, overseeing the armed forces and serving as the spiritual guide for Shia Muslims.

Mojtaba’s father, Ali Khamenei, had himself survived an assassination attempt in 1981 that left one of his arms partially paralysed for the rest of his life.