TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has suffered severe facial and leg injuries following a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike, according to reports circulating on social media platform X and supported by emerging accounts from individuals described as close to his inner circle.
The claims, initially amplified by RT, align with reporting from multiple international outlets suggesting that Khamenei was wounded during the February 28 strikes that targeted Iran’s senior leadership. The attack killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, along with several members of the ruling elite.
According to sources cited by Reuters, Khamenei sustained “disfiguring” facial wounds and a serious leg injury, with some reports indicating the possibility of amputation. These accounts remain difficult to independently verify, as Iranian authorities have released no recent images or video of the leader since his appointment in early March.
Despite the injuries, insiders claim Khamenei remains conscious and engaged in state affairs, reportedly participating in high-level military and diplomatic discussions through secure audio communications. However, conflicting intelligence assessments have fueled uncertainty, with some reports suggesting periods of incapacitation or limited ability to govern.
The lack of transparency has intensified speculation both داخل Iran and internationally. Analysts note that his prolonged absence from public view—combined with inconsistent official statements—has raised questions about the true extent of his injuries and the stability of Iran’s leadership during an ongoing regional conflict.
The strike that injured Khamenei was part of a broader U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iran’s command structure, reportedly timed to coincide with a high-level meeting of senior officials. The operation marked a significant escalation in the conflict and triggered a rapid succession crisis within Iran’s political system.
Khamenei’s condition now carries major geopolitical implications. With negotiations underway and tensions across the Middle East still high, uncertainty over the Iranian leader’s health has added another layer of volatility to an already fragile situation.
Iranian state media has yet to formally confirm the severity of his injuries, referring only to his status as a war-wounded figure, while continuing to project an image of continuity in leadership.