Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei: What We Know About His Injuries from U.S. Airstrikes

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[Herald Economy=Reporter Moon Young-gyu] Sources say Mojtaba, the younger son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei—who was killed in a U.S. airstrike—has been named supreme leader. Officials say he suffered significant injuries on the opening day of the strikes.

On the 11th (local time), CNN cited a source who said Mojtaba broke his foot and had bruising around his left eye during the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the 28th of last month.

The source added that he suffered minor lacerations to his face.

Iranian officials also confirmed Mojtaba’s injuries publicly through a diplomat who spoke with Western media.

AliReza Salarian, Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, told The Guardian that Mojtaba was wounded in the airstrike on the opening day of the conflict, the 28th of last month.

Salarian said six members of Khamenei’s family were killed, including the supreme leader himself, his wife and a teenage son, and described Mojtaba’s survival of the strike on Khamenei’s residence as “a miracle.” Among the dead were Khamenei’s daughter, her husband and the daughter’s 14-month-old child.

“Mojtaba was there and was injured in the bombing,” Salarian said. “I’ve been told he sustained wounds to his leg, hand and arm. I understand he was hospitalized because of his injuries.”

Since authorities announced his selection as supreme leader on the 8th, Mojtaba has not appeared in public or issued any statements.

Salarian added, “I don’t think he’s stable enough to make a public address.”

Mojtaba, 56, was chosen on the 8th to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the blast that killed the elder Khamenei.