Iran’s latest supreme leader has not made any public appearances since the conflict with the US began, amid reports that he sustained severe facial burns in an airstrike, necessitating plastic surgery.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard from since he took office, following reports of significant injuries sustained during an airstrike on February 28th.
Tensions between the US and Iran escalated in late February after joint US-Israeli forces launched attacks on critical Iranian sites. In response, Iran retaliated by striking multiple locations in the region and blocking the crucial trade route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Although severely wounded, Khamenei, aged 56, remains mentally alert and involved, as confirmed by four senior Iranian officials familiar with his condition. He has undergone several surgeries following the strike, which also resulted in the death of his father and former leader of the country, Ali Khamenei.
The supreme leader has had multiple surgeries on his leg, with plans for a prosthetic limb. Additionally, he underwent a surgical procedure on his hand and is gradually regaining mobility. According to reports, his facial and lip injuries are severe, affecting his ability to speak, and he will require plastic surgery.
Due to security concerns, senior government officials avoid visiting him to prevent potential tracking by Israel. Messages intended for Khamenei are hand-delivered through a secure chain of trusted couriers to his undisclosed location.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, along with the health minister, are actively involved in Khamenei’s medical care. He maintains limited direct contact with the Iranian leadership, with fears of assassination prompting officials to refrain from visiting him.
Decisions are now primarily made by Khamenei’s generals, with various political factions engaging in ongoing discussions. Analysts attribute the generals’ influence to Khamenei’s longstanding relationships forged during his service in the Iran-Iraq conflict as a young volunteer.