Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms
Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, suffered injuries during the 28 February strike that claimed the lives of six family members, including his father, according to Alireza Salarian, the country’s ambassador to Cyprus. The incident took place at the residence of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been the spiritual leader of Iran for decades. Salarian shared these details during an interview at the embassy in Nicosia, emphasizing that the cleric’s condition has not been widely publicized despite his critical wounds.
“I haven’t seen the injuries mentioned in foreign media,” Salarian said. “He was also present and wounded in the attack, but I believe he is currently receiving medical treatment.”
The strike marked the initiation of US-led airstrikes against Iran, occurring on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. The ambassador noted that the late leader, Ali Khamenei, was at his home with several relatives, including Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra, and his son Mohammad Bagher, who were among the casualties. Iranian reports also indicated that Ali Khamenei’s wife, Mansour, passed away three days later from related injuries.
“The late supreme leader was killed alongside his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and his daughter’s infant child,” Salarian explained. “They were in their house near the presidential office, and top military officials were also among those lost.”
Yousef Pezeshkian, a government advisor and son of Iran’s president, earlier confirmed Mojtaba’s injury without specifying the extent. His Telegram post stated: “I heard Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. My contacts say he is safe and recovering.” Meanwhile, an Iranian official told Reuters the cleric sustained minor injuries and continued to perform his duties.
“Trump is a phenomenon. He doesn’t respect international law or even the rules within his own nation,” the ambassador remarked, criticizing the US leader’s approach. He contrasted this with the actions of previous administrations, praising Biden and Obama for their adherence to legal frameworks.
Salarian also highlighted the broader impact of the attacks, estimating that over 1,400 people had been killed in Iran by Tuesday. The city of Tehran, home to 14 million residents, saw half its population evacuate due to the bombings. The strikes surprised both the political and diplomatic elites, despite earlier military preparations in the region.
“The late supreme leader had not wanted his son to succeed him,” Salarian said. “High-ranking clergymen asked him, but he declined, fearing a dynastic succession. After the attack, they insisted: ‘You must take the role; you have to obey.’”
Analysts suggest the new leader is being shielded from public view to prevent potential attacks. Salarian noted that the US and Israel, in particular, are likely to target Mojtaba, who is seen as equally hardline as his father. “We know the US, especially Israel, will strike at him,” the ambassador warned, adding that the fear of an assassination attempt is driving the secrecy around Mojtaba’s condition.
