Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured in US-Israeli attack

Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been seriously injured in his leg during a joint US-Israeli attack, the New York Times has claimed.

The report, published on Wednesday, March 11, cited Israeli and Iranian officials.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, assumed the role of Iran's Supreme Leader on Sunday as the successor to his father, Ali Khamenei. The report mentioned that long-time ruler Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war. Following his death, Mojtaba was quickly declared the new leader.

The New York Times reported that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained severe leg injuries in an intense attack carried out very early in the conflict. However, no confirmed information is available about his current whereabouts or the condition of his treatment.

He has not appeared in public or addressed the nation on television since assuming office. Analysts suggest his physical injury could be a primary reason for this. Although banners and posters bearing his image have been put up on the streets of Tehran, the leader's absence has raised various questions among the public.

Observers believe that while Mojtaba was hastily installed in power following Ali Khamenei's death, the uncertainty surrounding his physical capability could impact Iran's internal politics.

It is feared that the combination of a wartime emergency and news of the Supreme Leader's injury could challenge the morale of both Iran's military forces and the general public. However, Iranian state media has not officially commented on Mojtaba Khamenei's injury so far.

Analysts suggest that as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East intensifies, this successive blow to the Khamenei family could create new uncertainties in Iran's governance system. The report also claimed that US and Israeli intelligence agencies are closely monitoring Mojtaba Khamenei's physical condition.