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.
Russia is open to listening to new proposals on how to reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict, a senior Russia...
An international conference in Baku on 21 August will put Belgium’s colonial record in Africa under renewed scrutiny. Officials, United Natio...
Armenia says it will pursue a balanced foreign policy, deepen regional ties and push to institutionalise peace with Azerbaijan under its new govern...
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th of August, covering the latest developments.
Five years after Evergrande's debt crisis rattled global markets, founder Hui Ka Yan has been sentenced to life in prison, marking a dramatic new chapter in the downfall of China's former property giant.
Armenia says it will pursue a balanced foreign policy, deepen regional ties and push to institutionalise peace with Azerbaijan under its new government programme.
Pakistan is deepening engagement with Syria’s new leadership as Israeli strikes add fresh pressure on the country’s fragile political transition, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani concluding a landmark visit to Islamabad.
Afghanistan and Belarus have agreed to advance joint industrial projects, investment and technical cooperation following talks in Minsk, as Kabul seeks Belarusian machinery and support to develop domestic manufacturing.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are drawing up a new programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $1 billion by 2030, as the two countries move to deepen economic and industrial ties.
Syria says it assured Israel that Türkiye had no plans to establish a military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase before Israeli forces struck the site on Tuesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment