Israeli officials assess Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei alive but badly injured amid conflicting reports

The Israeli position differs from claims made Friday by Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, an exiled Iranian journalist and researcher, who said Khamenei had died after being in a coma.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli officials believe Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive but injured, even as conflicting reports circulate about his condition and possible death.

A security source said Israeli assessments indicate Khamenei sustained injuries, possibly affecting his eye and leg, but is not considered to be in life-threatening condition, according to Arutz Sheva.

His absence from public view has led to uncertainty about his exact state. “He is alive, but no one knows in what condition,” the source said. “There is a high probability that he is injured, conscious, but not in a condition that allows him to appear in public. The Revolutionary Guards are the ones running Iran, and they are also the ones issuing statements in Mojtaba’s name. Something very strange is happening there.”

The Israeli position differs from claims made Friday by Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, an exiled Iranian journalist and researcher, who said Khamenei had died after previously being in a coma.

“One of the defecting friends who served in the leader’s security unit told me that until last week there were three teams stationed at different hospitals so that it would be impossible to discover where Mojtaba Khamenei was hospitalized,” Ebrahimi wrote on X.

“In reality, he was in Sina Hospital; both of his legs had been amputated, and he suffered severe injuries to his hand and head. Now all three teams have completed their mission. Mojtaba died last week while in a coma. Iran has no successor, and therefore it will likely not announce his death until its fall. The Assembly of Experts will not be able to reach agreement on another person.”

Israeli officials have not corroborated those assertions and continue to assess that Khamenei is alive, though likely unable to function publicly. The situation has prompted increased scrutiny over Iran’s leadership structure, with Israeli sources indicating that the Revolutionary Guards appear to be directing state messaging during his absence.