 (6).png)
2 days ago
2
ARTICLE AD BOX
Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, is reportedly unconscious and undergoing treatment for a severe medical issue in Qom. He is unable to govern or make decisions following airstrikes that killed his father and others, raising questions about who truly controls Iran.
A woman holds up a poster of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during the annual anti-Israeli Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day, rally in support of Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)(AP)Amid the continuing speculations about the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran and who is in charge of the Islamic Republic, amid the ongoing war with the US, a new report has claimed that the 56-year-old is unconscious and is being treated for a “severe” medical issue. The Times, citing US-Israeli intelligence assessments, reported that Khamenei is unable to govern the country.
Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?
The report also added that Khamenei is undergoing treatment in the Iranian city of Qom. This contradicts earlier assessments that Khamenei could have been moved out of Iran, to Russia for treatment after he was injured in the US-Israeli strike on Tehran on February 28, which killed his father, Ali Khamenei and several other family members.
According to the report, Khamenei is in a “severe” condition and is unable to participate in governance or decision-making.
“Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in a severe condition, unable to be involved in any decision making by the regime,” the diplomatic memo cited by The Times said.
Qom is one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam and it was initially considered as the final resting place of Ali Khamenei after he was assassinated by the US and Israel on the opening day of the ongoing war.
Not seen in public since February 28
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the airstrikes killed his father, was announced as the new Supreme Leader of Iran on March 8.
Many, including US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, had claimed that Khamenei was also killed or seriously injured in the airstrikes on February 28.
Last week, Russia's ambassador to Tehran, Alexey Dedov, had rejected reports of Mojtaba Khamenei being moved to Moscow and said the Supreme Leader was still in Iran.
Mojtaba Khamenei issued several statements
Ever since his name was announced as the new Supreme Leader, Iranian authorities have only released written statements attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei and a handful of purported videos and images of him, which have been flagged as AI-generated.
The latest statement attributed to him was published on Monday, in which he expressed condolences over the killing of the Revolutionary Guard's intelligence chief.
In a written social media post, Khamenei said Maj Gen Majid Khademi joined a "steadfast line of warriors and fighters" to sacrifice their lives. Israeli strikes have killed dozens of top Iranian leaders, including Khamenei's father.
Emphasising the ideological commitment of Iran's armed forces, Khamenei stated, "The unbroken ranks of the combatants and fighters on the path of truth in Islamic Iran, along with the self-sacrificing Armed Forces, form such a towering, deeply rooted front that terrorism and crime cannot even crack their resolve for jihadi ideals."
Who is running Iran?
As uncertainty continues about the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, some have also speculated that he is not in control of any decisions being taken about the ongoing conflict. Many have argued that the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was established by the first Supreme Leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1979 as the guardians of the Iranian Revolution, was the real power running Tehran.
Key Takeaways
- Mojtaba Khamenei's health raises questions about the stability of Iran's leadership.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may hold more power than the Supreme Leader in current decision-making.
- Speculation about Khamenei's condition reflects broader geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US.
About the Author
Bobins Vayalil Abraham
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
English (US) ·