Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms
Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, sustained injuries in a 28 February attack that claimed the lives of six family members, including his father, according to Alireza Salarian, the country’s ambassador to Cyprus. In an interview at his embassy in Nicosia, Salarian detailed the incident, stating that the strike devastated the late ayatollah’s home and left Mojtaba with wounds to his limbs. “He was present during the strike and suffered injuries, though this has not been widely reported in international media,” he said. “He is currently hospitalized following the attack.”
The assault occurred on the first day of U.S.-led aerial strikes targeting Iran. It coincided with the 10th day of Ramadan, a time of spiritual significance, and the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was at his residence with several relatives, including his wife, Zahra, and his teenage son, Mohammad Bagher, who were also killed. Salarian noted that the supreme leader’s wife, Mansour, passed away three days later. “The late supreme leader was killed alongside his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, who was just 14 months old,” he explained. “They were inside their home near the presidential office. Top military officials were also among the casualties, as they had been invited to the event.”
“High-ranking clergymen approached him to succeed, but the late supreme leader refused, believing a dynastic system would not align with his vision.”
Salarian emphasized that the late leader had not desired his son to assume the role. “He was elected, not chosen through inheritance,” the envoy said. “After the attack, the clerics insisted: ‘You must take on this responsibility.’”
Yousef Pezeshkian, a senior government advisor and son of Iran’s president, mentioned Mojtaba’s injuries in a Telegram post but avoided specifying the extent. “I’ve heard Mojtaba was wounded, but thanks to God, he remains in good condition,” he wrote. Earlier reports from Iranian officials indicated the new leader had “minor injuries” and continued his duties. Despite this, the state television described him as a “veteran of the Ramadan war” who had been “struck down” by the attacks.
Western intelligence agencies suspect Mojtaba is being shielded from public view to prevent an assassination. “We know the U.S. and Israel will target him,” Salarian said. “Whether he feels threatened is unclear, but the risk is real.”
Estimating the casualties from the conflict, Salarian noted the death toll had reached 1,400 by Tuesday. “Tehran, a city of 14 million, has lost nearly half its population due to the bombings,” he said. The strikes surprised even those familiar with the region’s military buildup, highlighting a shift in strategy. “Trump did not adhere to the rule of law, neither domestically nor internationally,” the ambassador remarked, contrasting his approach with that of Biden and Obama.
Salarian also addressed Iran’s nuclear ambitions, asserting the late leader had declared the nation would not develop nuclear weapons under its religious doctrine. “Nuclear warfare is prohibited by Iran’s teachings,” he stated, underscoring the country’s diplomatic ties with Cyprus despite regional tensions.
