Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Unable To Speak, Awaits Prosthetic Leg: Reports

Last Updated:April 23, 2026, 21:32 IST

Mojtaba Khamenei remains hidden after US-Israeli strikes. He is reportedly ruling Iran while recovering from severe injuries as doctors and couriers manage access and decisions.

Since the day Mojtaba Khamenei took charge of Iran as its new Supreme Leader, he has not been seen in public nor has his voice been heard.

On February 28, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes. Reports stated that several members of Khamenei’s family were also killed in the strikes. Six weeks later, Mojtaba Khamenei took charge as the Supreme Leader.

According to a report by New York Times, Mojtaba Khamenei is surrounded mostly by a team of doctors and medical staff who are treating the injuries he sustained in the airstrikes. It quoted four senior Iranian officials familiar with his health saying that one of his legs was operated on three times, and he is awaiting a prosthetic. Besides, he had surgery on one hand and is slowly regaining function. His face and lips have been burned severely, making it difficult for him to speak, the officials said, adding that, eventually, he will need plastic surgery.

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It is reported that though senior commanders of the IRGC and top government officials do not visit the Supreme Leader, President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is also a heart surgeon, and the minister of health have both been involved in his care.

NYT reported that messages to Mojtaba are handwritten, sealed in envelopes and relayed via a human chain from one trusted courier to the next, who travel on highways and back roads, in cars and on motorcycles until they reach his hide-out. His guidance on issues snakes back the same way.

“Mojtaba is not yet in full command or control," said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa for Chatham House who has contact with people in Iran. “There is, perhaps, deference to him. He signs off or he is part of the decision-making structure in a formal way. But he is presented with fait accompli presentations right now."

Recently, speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former Guards general and the lead negotiator with the US in Pakistan, said in a television address that Washington’s proposal for a nuclear deal and peace plan and Iran’s response had been shared with Khamenei and his views were taken into account when making decisions.

NYT stated that concerns over his safety, his injuries and the sheer challenge of reaching him has resulted in Khamenei’s delegating decision making to the generals, at least for now.

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