Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly in critical condition and has been hospitalised, with rumours circulating in the country that an announcement about his death could be imminent.
IranWire, citing sources close to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, reported that discussions about Mojtaba Khamenei being in an “extremely critical condition” were circulating at the highest levels of the Iranian regime, news agency ANI reported.
One source quoted by the outlet said, “We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon.”
Mojtaba Khamenei has remained out of public view
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28, according to the report.
Since taking office, Mojtaba has made no public appearances and has communicated through written statements. Reports have said he was injured in the initial strikes that targeted his father’s compound and was subsequently forced into hiding.
He has reportedly communicated with senior Iranian officials through intermediaries, amid concerns over further targeting.
Questions over his health
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that direct interaction with Mojtaba Khamenei is currently “very difficult”, adding to questions about the Supreme Leader’s health and whereabouts.
His physical location has also been the subject of reports. In July, Saudi outlet Al Hadath, citing an Israeli security source, claimed that Khamenei was “not in Iran”.
Around the same period, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Iran’s top military leadership had been eliminated. Trump also claimed that Khamenei was “90% gone” and incapacitated following the military campaign.
Conflicting accounts over injuries
Mojtaba Khamenei’s continued absence from live public appearances has fuelled speculation about the severity of his injuries and his ability to carry out his duties.
Western and opposition intelligence sources have previously suggested that he suffered severe or disfiguring injuries during the initial strikes. These reports have pointed to his reliance on written statements and indirect communication since then.
Iranian officials have offered a different account. Representatives from Iran’s Health Ministry previously described his initial injuries as superficial, while senior officials have maintained that he continues to provide strategic oversight and operational directives.
The latest reports about his condition have not been independently confirmed, and the claims remain subject to conflicting accounts.