Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms

Mojtaba Khamenei was hurt in strike that killed his father, Iran’s Cyprus ambassador confirms

Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, suffered injuries during the February 28 airstrike that claimed the lives of six family members, including his father, as revealed by Alireza Salarian, the country’s ambassador to Cyprus. The official shared details during an interview at the embassy in Nicosia, stating that the attack devastated the residence of the late ayatollah, where Mojtaba was present. “He was also there and injured in the bombardment, though this hasn’t been widely reported in international media,” Salarian said to the Guardian. He added, “I’ve heard he was hurt in his legs, hand, and arm, and I believe he’s receiving medical treatment.”

The strike occurred on the first day of U.S.-led air attacks against Iran, targeting the presidential complex in the capital. Salarian noted that the event took place during the 10th day of Ramadan, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at home alongside several relatives. Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra, and his teenage son, Mohammad Bagher, were among those killed. The ambassador also mentioned that the late leader’s wife, Mansour, passed away three days later, according to Iranian media. “The supreme leader was killed along with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and the 14-month-old baby of his daughter,” Salarian explained, highlighting that top commanders were also present and lost their lives.

“High-ranking clergymen had previously asked him, but the late supreme leader refused, as he opposed a dynastic system. He was elected,” Salarian said. “After the attack, they told him: ‘This is your job; you must take charge.’”

Yousef Pezeshkian, a government advisor and son of Iran’s president, confirmed Mojtaba’s injuries but offered no specifics. In a Telegram post, he wrote: “I’ve heard Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded, but thank God, he remains unharmed.” An Iranian official later told Reuters that the new leader had “minor injuries” and continued to perform his duties. Meanwhile, state TV referred to him as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war” without detailing the nature of his wounds.

Western intelligence sources suggest Mojtaba is being kept from public view to avoid potential targeting. “It’s clear the U.S., especially Israel, will strike at him,” Salarian stated. He also criticized the U.S. approach, saying: “Trump doesn’t respect international law or even domestic rules. Nobody expected the attacks after Geneva negotiations.” The ambassador praised Biden and Obama’s administrations for their adherence to legal frameworks.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Salarian emphasized: “The late supreme leader himself declared we won’t pursue nuclear weapons under our religious code, which forbids their use.” Despite the conflict, he noted that Iran maintains friendly ties with Cyprus. “The attack left Tehran, home to 14 million, with roughly half its population fleeing. The casualties included key political and diplomatic figures, catching everyone off guard despite prior military preparations.”