Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is recovering from severe and reportedly disfiguring injuries sustained during an airstrike that killed his father at the outset of the ongoing war, according to multiple sources familiar with his inner circle. The accounts, which Reuters said it could not independently verify, describe significant physical trauma even as the 56-year-old leader continues to participate in high-level decision-making during a critical period for the country’s military and political leadership.
Three individuals with knowledge of the situation said Khamenei suffered extensive facial injuries in the strike on the supreme leader’s compound in central Tehran, along with serious damage to one or both legs. Despite the severity of those wounds, the sources indicated that he remains mentally sharp and actively engaged in governing, including involvement in war-related decisions and sensitive negotiations with the United States. Participation in meetings has reportedly taken place via audio conferencing rather than in person.
The attack occurred on February 28, the opening day of a conflict initiated by U.S. and Israeli military action, and resulted in the death of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989. Several members of Mojtaba Khamenei’s family, including his wife and in-laws, were also killed. He was formally appointed supreme leader on March 8, but no public images, video, or audio recordings have been released since the strike, contributing to uncertainty about his condition and whereabouts.
There has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the extent of his injuries. However, a state television newsreader referred to him as a “janbaz,” a term used for individuals severely wounded in war. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in mid-March that Khamenei had been “wounded and likely disfigured,” while a source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments indicated he was believed to have lost a leg. Intelligence agencies and Israeli officials have declined to publicly comment on those claims.
.@SECWAR “Iran's leadership is in no better shape; DESPERATE AND HIDING —they've gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do.
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) March 13, 2026
We know the new so-called, not-so-Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured.
He put out a statement yesterday—a weak one, actually—but there… pic.twitter.com/JZ8hh3LnH5
The uncertainty surrounding Khamenei’s health comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension, including the opening of high-stakes talks with the United States in Islamabad. Analysts say the question of his physical capacity to govern is significant given the structure of Iran’s political system, where the supreme leader holds ultimate authority over both civilian government and powerful military institutions such as the Revolutionary Guards.
According to Alex Vatanka, even without considering his injuries, Mojtaba Khamenei may struggle to immediately wield the same level of authority as his father. “Mojtaba will be one voice but it will not be the decisive one,” Vatanka said, adding that it could take years for him to establish comparable influence. Sources have indicated that the Revolutionary Guards, which supported his rise, are playing a dominant role in strategic decisions during the war.
Public absence has fueled speculation within Iran, with social media users circulating messages and images questioning his status, including a widely shared meme showing an empty chair captioned “Where is Mojtaba?” Supporters within the regime, including members of the Basij militia, have defended the lack of visibility, citing ongoing security threats from continued airstrikes. One member stated that appearing publicly could make the leader a direct target, reinforcing the rationale for maintaining a low profile until conditions stabilize.