TEHRAN — Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “safe and sound” despite reports that he was injured during the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, according to a government adviser on Wednesday.
Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, said he had verified the reports through contacts.
“I heard news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections. They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound,” Pezeshkian said in a post on his Telegram channel.
Iranian state television earlier referred to Khamenei as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” but did not provide details about the alleged injury.
Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, the longtime leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, an attack that triggered a broader conflict across the Middle East.
The 56-year-old cleric, known for keeping a low public profile, has not yet addressed the nation or issued a formal statement since he was declared supreme leader on Sunday.
A report by The New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, said Mojtaba Khamenei had suffered injuries, including to his legs, but remained alert while staying in a highly secure location with limited communication.