Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in good health and staying in a “safe place”, despite earlier reports that he had been injured during recent U.S.-Israel airstrikes, according to the country's president.
Speaking to ISNA, President Youssef Pezeshkian said he had confirmed with sources close to Khamenei that the 56-year-old was “doing well and there is no problem”, addressing widespread speculation over his condition since his appointment as the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed power following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike on Tehran’s leadership compound on 28 February. The strike also claimed the lives of Khamenei’s mother, wife and son, as well as several senior defence officials.
Since his appointment by the Assembly of Experts, Khamenei has remained largely out of public view.
No images or direct statements have been released, although state media have referred to him as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war”. Official posters have also depicted him symbolically receiving the national flag from his late father.
According to anonymous Iranian officials cited by the New York Times, Khamenei sustained injuries, including to his legs, during the initial airstrike. He is reportedly sheltering in a highly secure location with limited communications.
Israeli defence officials also reportedly believe he was injured in the attack.
Analysts warn that the new supreme leader is likely to remain hidden for security reasons.
Emile Hokayem, Director of Regional Security and Senior Fellow for Middle East Security, said Khamenei is expected “to sit in a bunker for a very long time” due to the high risk of assassination, noting that killing him early would likely be an Israeli priority.
Hokayem added that Khamenei may delegate day-to-day governance to Ali Larijani and the war effort to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Despite maintaining a low public profile, Khamenei has long been regarded as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), overseeing security and military affairs under his father.
His ascent has been met with both support and opposition. Pro-government supporters have rallied in Tehran displaying his image and pledging allegiance, while some voices in the capital have chanted anti-Khamenei slogans.
Khamenei has also received pledges of loyalty from Tehran-backed allies in the region, including the Houthi rebels and Hezbollah, as well as public support from Vladimir Putin.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Khamenei’s appointment would be “unacceptable” and that he would need Washington’s approval, although he did not specify any planned action.
Israel has reportedly prioritised Khamenei as a potential target.
The European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus and European partners have put a six-wheeled Mars rover prototype through its paces in Spain’s Tabern...
Azerbaijan won 22 medals, including seven gold, at the Mingachevir Regatta 2026 as more than 100 young rowers from 12 countries competed in the int...
A retired Australian builder has arrived in Baku in his 1929 Pontiac Roadster during an epic journey from Bangkok to Istanbul, using the nearly cen...
Yemen's air force carried out 20 strikes on Houthi targets earlier on Friday, Brigadier General Majid Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, Spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthis denied targeting a power plant supplying energy to a mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may participate in the investigation into a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, while investigators examine the motive of the co-pilot involved.
Swiss glaciers lost more than 5 per cent of their ice in 2026, making it one of their worst years on record as a dry winter and repeated heatwaves accelerated melting across the Alps.
Passengers from a flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft have arrived safely in Israel.
Russia has warned NATO that it would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to isolate Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, according to a diplomatic document seen by Reuters.
Azerbaijan won 22 medals, including seven gold, at the Mingachevir Regatta 2026 as more than 100 young rowers from 12 countries competed in the international tournament.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the TRIPP project will establish a direct railway connection between Azerbaijan and Armenia and strengthen wider regional transport links.
Afghanistan and Tajikistan have discussed boosting electricity supplies to Afghanistan and plans for a high-voltage power line through the country to Iran, as Kabul seeks greater access to imported energy.
Türkiye has rejected a news report alleging that its intelligence service arranged secret talks between Syrian officials and Hezbollah, calling the claim “entirely unfounded.”
The Gulf is facing mounting pressure across aviation, defence and critical infrastructure as conflict, changing security arrangements and threats to water supplies reshape the region’s risk landscape.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment