Iran maintains secrecy over reported injury to Mojtaba Khamenei

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei suffers serious injuries from the February 28 bombing of his father’s compound during American and Israeli attacks.

That strike killed his wife and son. Since his appointment in March, he has stayed out of sight, surrounded by doctors treating his wounds. Senior Iranian officials are severely restricted in meeting him. They refuse to visit to ensure Israel does not keep track of their whereabouts and to make fresh attacks. He receives messages delivered by trusted couriers in sealed envelopes delivered in the hands of one trusted individual to another.

His commands revert to the same safe means. In contrast to his dad, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who made all the war, peace and U.S. negotiation decisions, Mojtaba works in a different way. He is an enigmatic person with no appearances or declarations.

Four top officials confirm that he is still mentally sharp despite his injuries. Physicians had conducted three operations on his right leg; he is waiting to get a prosthetic. On the same hand they also worked on it and gradually it was brought back to its work. His face and lips are badly burned, and he can hardly talk–he will need plastic surgery in the future.

He is assisted by Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is a trained heart surgeon. Mojtaba ignores video or audio messages at the moment. He wishes the first words he utters in public to be strong, not weak. Such secrecy begs the question of stability of Iranian leadership amidst tensions. Authorities emphasize his vigilance, yet restricted access slows down decision making. The New York Times article brings out the role of injuries and warning in his initial rule.