Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has confirmed that the country's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded during recent hostilities. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Baghaei stated that the leader's condition is stable and not a cause for concern, though he noted that the date for his first public address remains unknown.
The confirmation follows reports from U.S. and Israeli media indicating that the 56-year-old Khamenei suffered leg injuries on February 28, the opening day of a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel. Mojtaba Khamenei recently assumed the role following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
Despite the targeting of top leadership, the U.S. intelligence community does not anticipate an imminent collapse of the Iranian government. According to Reuters, citing internal sources, American analysts believe Tehran's power structure remains resilient. Analysts suggest that even with the loss of the previous Supreme Leader and the elimination of several high-ranking officials, the clerical establishment maintains a consolidated grip on the state and society.
This cautious assessment is reportedly shared by members of the Israeli government in private discussions. While the military operations have caused significant disruption, intelligence officials suggest the Iranian regime retains the institutional control necessary to prevent a total internal breakdown in the near term.