‘Brain damaged’ Mojtaba Khamenei makes demands ahead of US-Iran talks

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment, issuing only written statements read by state television presenters.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A statement read on Iranian state television by new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized that Tehran is demanding reparations for the war and will continue to dominate the Strait of Hormuz, as delegations from the United States and Iran prepare to meet in Islamabad on Saturday for talks following five weeks of fighting.

“We are not seeking conflict, nor do we desire it,” Khamenei said in the message broadcast weeks after his father, the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US and Israeli airstrike on February 28.

“However, we will not relinquish our legitimate rights under any circumstances, and in this regard, we view the entire front of resistance as a unified entity,” he added, referring to Lebanon, where Israel is fighting Tehran’s ally Hezbollah.

Khamenei remains seriously injured more than a month after the airstrike that killed a number of top Iranian officials, according to a report published this week.

He is said to still be in an intensive care unit at an underground location. An arm and at least one leg have been paralyzed and were likely amputated.

Khamenei also suffered brain damage, spinal cord lesions, a dislocated jaw, and severe trauma to his face, a hospital source said.

The ceasefire announced Wednesday has been marked by disagreement over whether Lebanon is included, as Israel has stepped up strikes against Hezbollah and Iran has warned the attacks could jeopardize the truce.

Khamenei also urged continued public protests despite the ceasefire, saying people “must not think that going out into the streets in protest (against the US and Israeli strikes) is no longer necessary despite the declaration of a ceasefire.”

“Your voices in the public squares will undoubtedly influence the outcome of the negotiations,” he added.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after his father was killed in the February 28 airstrikes.

He has not appeared publicly since his appointment, issuing only written statements read by state television presenters.

Iranian opposition media have speculated about his condition, while US President Donald Trump has raised the possibility that he may have been killed.

Delegations from the United States and Iran are expected in Islamabad on Saturday for negotiations mediated by Pakistan, aimed at easing tensions and exploring a more lasting agreement.