Mojtaba Khamenei barely able to speak, waiting for prosthetic leg – report

Iran’s new supreme leader reportedly suffered injuries so severe they have disfigured him, forcing him to remain out of sight and impairing his ability to speak.

By World Israel News Staff

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from major injuries sustained in the February 28 strike on his father’s compound and remains hidden from public view due to the severity of his wounds, according to a New York Times report published Thursday.

Citing a number of Iranian officials, the report said Mojtaba Khamenei has been in hiding since the Israeli attack that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other members of his family.

According to the Times, Mojtaba is being treated mainly by doctors and medical staff and has had limited direct contact even with senior Iranian officials.

The newspaper reported that one of his legs has undergone three operations and that he is awaiting a prosthetic. It said he also underwent surgery on one hand and suffered severe burns to his face and lips, leaving him with difficulty speaking.

Despite the injuries, the Times said, officials familiar with his condition described him as mentally sharp and still engaged in state affairs.

Reuters reported earlier this month that Mojtaba Khamenei was recovering from “severe and disfiguring wounds,” including facial injuries and significant damage to one or both legs, while remaining involved in major decisions from a secure location.

His absence from public view has fueled questions inside and outside Iran about how much authority he is personally exercising as supreme leader.

Mojtaba has not appeared on video or released an audio message since taking office, reportedly because he does not want to appear physically vulnerable in his first public address. Instead, he has issued written statements carried by state media.

The combination of Mojtaba’s injuries, security fears and the difficulty of reaching him has led to a temporary shift in power toward commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and allied officials.

“Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board,” Abdolreza Davari, a politician who previously advised former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, told the Times.

“He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions.”

Sanam Vakil of Chatham House told the Times that “Mojtaba is not yet in full command or control,” adding that he appears to be part of the decision-making structure but is currently being presented with faits accomplis by more powerful actors.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group offered a similar assessment.

“Mojtaba is not supreme; he might be leader in name, but he is not supreme the way his father was,” he said.

“Mojtaba is subservient to the Revolutionary Guards because he owes his position and he owes the survival of the system to them.”