Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Unconscious’, Out of Decision-Making Role: Report

Tehran: Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, is reportedly in a critical condition and undergoing treatment in Qom after being wounded in alleged US-Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, according to a media report citing a diplomatic memo.

The report said the 56-year-old cleric is unconscious and unable to participate in decision-making, with the document—believed to be based on intelligence shared by American and Israeli agencies with Gulf allies—describing his condition as “severe.”

This is the first time the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader has been revealed. Qom, situated about 140 kilometres south of Tehran, is regarded as the religious capital of the Islamic republic and holds deep significance in Shia Islam.

According to the report, intelligence agencies had prior knowledge of his whereabouts, though it had not been made public until now. Meanwhile, preparations are reportedly underway in Qom for the burial of Ali Khamenei, who was allegedly killed in strikes on February 28.

The report further claimed that groundwork is being laid for a large mausoleum in Qom, potentially accommodating multiple graves, raising speculation that other family members—including Mojtaba Khamenei—could be buried there if his condition worsens.

So far, neither the United States nor Iran has officially commented on these claims.

Iran, however, has confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the same strike that reportedly killed several members of his family, including his mother, wife Zahra Haddad-Adel, and one of his sons, during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The new Supreme Leader has not appeared publicly since the start of the conflict, despite being chosen as successor in early March. Statements attributed to him have been broadcast on state television, though the absence of verified audio or video has fueled speculation about his health.

Iranian authorities recently released an AI-generated video showing him in a war room analysing a map of Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility. While officials maintain he remains in control, unverified reports suggest he may be in a coma or suffering from serious injuries. (Agencies)