Iran’s New Supreme Leader Injured but Mentally Sharp
Washington – The New York Times reported on Thursday that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was seriously wounded during a US-Israeli airstrike which killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei.
The newspaper cited several unnamed Iranian officials as saying that Khamenei has delegated decision-making to generals in the Revolutionary Guards ideological army for now.
Khamenei has not appeared in public since succeeding his father, only issuing written statements, leading to speculation over his condition and if he is still alive. The NYT reported that although Khamenei was gravely wounded, he remains mentally sharp and engaged.
Officials cited by the newspaper said one leg required multiple operations and a prosthetic, while surgery on one hand allowed for gradual function recovery. Burns to the face and lips have made speaking difficult but will require plastic surgery eventually.
Access to Khamenei is limited due to security reasons, with only handwritten messages passed on. Guards commanders do not visit him, but President Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, has been involved in his care.
The generals viewed the US-Israeli war as a threat to the regime’s survival, which they have now contained. They are also responsible for military strategy, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.