After a U.S.-Israel airstrike on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his second son, Seyyed Mojtaba Hoseini Khamenei, 56, was elected the new supreme leader. But even on the third day after his selection, Mojtaba has not appeared in public, fueling "speculation about his condition," and reports say he was injured in the first U.S.-Israel strike of the Iran war and is in hiding.
According to a New York Times (NYT) report on the 11th (local time), the first U.S.-Israel bombardment on the 28th of last month killed Mojtaba's father (Khamenei), mother, wife, and one son. Mojtaba was reported to have been injured and gone into hiding. The reason he has not appeared in videos or before the public is not only security concerns but also his injuries.
Three Iranian officials who requested anonymity said they were told by senior government figures that "Mojtaba hurt his leg and other areas, but he is conscious and clear-headed. He is taking shelter in a top-security facility with restricted communications." An Israeli military official also said it is assessed that Mojtaba injured his leg on the 28th of last month.
Amid this, there was also a report from a senior Iranian figure who said Mojtaba's safety had been confirmed. According to AFR News, Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a government adviser, said on his Telegram channel that day, "After hearing that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured, I asked an acquaintance with relevant networks to verify it," adding, "From acquaintances, I received the reply, 'By God's grace, he is safe and well.'"
In addition, Iranian media carried language hinting at Mojtaba's injuries. State media used the modifier "wounded war veteran" when referring to Mojtaba. The government-affiliated religious charity "Komite Emdad," in its congratulatory statement on his elevation as supreme leader, also called him by the Persian term for a war veteran injured in battle, "Janbaz jang."
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged that whoever succeeds Khamenei would be a target. U.S. President Donald Trump also aimed at Mojtaba, saying, "I don't believe he can live peacefully," while leaving open the possibility of talks with Mojtaba.