Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘wounded’

The new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been declared ‘war-wounded’ by Iranian state media, just days after Israeli airstrikes killed his father and wife in Tehran.

The 56-year-old, previously little-known in official circles, was named Supreme Leader by Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts. The state broadcast referred to him as “janbaz”, meaning wounded, though details of his injury remain unclear.

Mojtaba has close ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij volunteer paramilitary force. Analysts warn that his rise comes at a perilous time, with both the US and Israel vowing to target any successor to Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, the conflict is intensifying across the region. Bahrain reported 32 people wounded in a drone attack on Sitra, and Iran has threatened strikes on regional energy infrastructure in retaliation for Israeli attacks. Oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel, and major Gulf producers remain under threat.

Despite his sudden rise, Mojtaba is seen as vengeful and determined to assert Iran’s authority in the ongoing conflict. Large crowds in Tehran waved flags and chanted “Allahu Akbar, Khamenei Rahbar,” signaling public support for the new leader.