Iran’s new Supreme Leader hurt: New reports reveal facial disfigurement, leg injuries

Tehran: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from serious facial and leg injuries following the airstrike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, raising fresh questions about his condition and ability to appear in public.

According to multiple sources cited by Reuters, the 56-year-old leader sustained significant damage to his face, reportedly leaving it disfigured, along with major injuries to one or both legs during the strike on the supreme leader’s compound in central Tehran.

Despite the severity of these injuries, insiders say he is recovering steadily and remains mentally alert.

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Why he hasn’t been seen in public

Khamenei has not made any public appearances since taking over as supreme leader. However, sources say this is largely due to the nature of his injuries and ongoing recovery.

Even so, he continues to participate in high-level meetings through audio conferencing and is actively involved in decisions related to the conflict and ongoing negotiations with the United States.

While his physical condition has limited visibility, governance appears to be continuing from behind closed doors. Officials familiar with the matter say he is still engaged in key national security decisions, despite being out of public view.

At the same time, reports suggest that forces like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be operating without clearly visible centralised command, adding to uncertainty during a critical phase.

Experts warn that any disagreement between political leadership and military factions could create internal tensions, especially if a ceasefire deal does not align with hardline expectations.

With AP inputs