Mojtaba Khamenei survived a targeted strike on the leadership compound in Tehran on February 28, 2023. The attack killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife and son. Khamenei left the building minutes before it was hit, while everyone remaining inside was killed.
Khamenei was confirmed to be injured in the attack but is said to be in full health. His injuries include surgery on his hand and severe facial burns. He is also awaiting a prosthetic leg following injuries sustained during the strike.
Access to Khamenei has been tightly restricted to a small circle of medical personnel as he recovers. Mohsen Qomi stated that Khamenei is managing both diplomatic negotiations and military operations. Speculation about his health was dismissed as enemy deception.
Key statements:
- Mohsen Qomi said, “He was in his building before it was struck, but had left it just minutes earlier to go outside for some task, which led to his survival.”
- Qomi added, “This is deception by the enemy, which seeks to claim: why does he not appear? Why does he not send an audio or video message?”
- Mohsen Rezaei remarked, “These rumours they are spreading about the Leader of the Revolution are intended to push him, or those around him, into some kind of reaction.”
The attack occurred during the first day of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Iranian officials urged the public to ignore rumors about Khamenei’s condition. The situation remains tense as Iran navigates its leadership dynamics following this significant event.