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.
Pakistan is pushing for urgent global action and greater climate funding as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attends COP31 in Türkiye, warning th...
Armenia has lost its voting rights and the ability to nominate officials for certain posts within the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organi...
Four million workers across Spain joined a general strike on Wednesday over the country’s deepening housing crisis, unions said, bringing dis...
Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the United States met in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday for their first formal talks in nine months. They did so with no agreement on what a ceasefire would be tied to or who gets to keep the land currently under Russian control.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning at this year's COP31 summit, saying the climate crisis iss advancing faster than governments' efforts to contain it.
At least 17 people have been reported killed in an explosion at a steel plant in western Türkiye, after a crane collapsed during maintenance work. The disaster has prompted a criminal investigation into what went wrong at the industrial facility.
Armenia could lose its voting rights within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on 11 November after failing to pay membership fees for more than two years, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said Washington believes the Russian President is prepared to reach a peace agreement under the right conditions, as U.S., Russian and Ukrainian delegations began trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 10 November.
Pakistan is pushing for urgent global action and greater climate funding as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attends COP31 in Türkiye, warning that melting glaciers, devastating floods and extreme heat are putting millions of lives and livelihoods at risk.
Armenia has lost its voting rights and the ability to nominate officials for certain posts within the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The decision was taken at a summit in Moscow on 11 November, amid years of strained relations between Yerevan and the alliance.
Heavy rain and strong winds have flooded around 70,000 tents across Gaza, leaving displaced Palestinian families exposed to cold, hunger and worsening living conditions as winter approaches, according to local authorities.
Trade along the Middle Corridor is accelerating, opening new opportunities for Central Asia and the South Caucasus as countries strengthen transport links between China and Europe. Cargo volumes reached around 4.7 million tonnes in 2025, up from less than one million tonnes in 2021.
Kazakhstan says the North Aral Sea’s water volume has risen by 24 per cent since 2022, reaching 23.4 billion cubic metres. The figures were unveiled at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, as the country outlined ambitious plans to accelerate restoration.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment