Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Lightly Injured’ With Fractured Foot on First Day of War: Reports

Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Lightly Injured’ in Strikes That Killed His Father

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since taking office, was reportedly lightly injured in the US-Israel strikes on Iran and suffered a fractured foot and facial injuries during the early stages of the ongoing war, according to multiple reports.

Khamenei has not been seen by the public or issued any statement since he assumed the role following the killing of his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in the strikes on February 28. Rumours about his health began circulating soon after the attacks. Iranian state television earlier referred to Mojtaba Khamenei as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war”, though it did not provide details about the nature or extent of any injuries.

An Iranian official told Reuters that Khamenei was “lightly injured” but continues to function in his role. The official did not elaborate on the injuries or explain why he has yet to appear in public. An Israeli source had also told Reuters that intelligence assessments indicated Khamenei had been lightly wounded, which could explain his absence from public view.

Fractured Foot and Facial Injuries

According to a source cited by CNN, Khamenei suffered a fractured foot on the first day of the US and Israeli military campaign. The report said he also sustained a bruise near his left eye and minor cuts on his face. Earlier, Masoud Pezeshkian’s son, Yousef Pezeshkian, said he had heard the new leader was injured but reassured that Khamenei was “safe and there are no concerns”, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency.

IRGC’s Role in Leadership Transition

Senior Iranian sources have said the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps played a key role in backing Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as supreme leader, viewing him as a successor likely to support its hardline policies.

Already one of the most influential forces in Iran’s political and military structure, the IRGC has reportedly consolidated even greater authority since the conflict began.