Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly escaped death by seconds during an Israeli missile strike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. According to a report citing leaked audio from an internal Iranian meeting, Mojtaba had stepped out of the compound moments before the missiles struck.
The strike, carried out on February 28 as part of Operation Epic Fury, targeted the Tehran residence of the long-time Iranian leader, killing several senior officials and family members.
As per a report by The Telegraph, the leaked audio is from a March 12 बैठक involving senior clerics and commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In the recording, Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for the late leader’s office, reportedly said that Mojtaba had been inside the building with his father shortly before the strike but stepped outside just in time.
He was quoted as saying that Mojtaba had briefly gone into the yard and was heading back upstairs when the missiles hit the compound.
Shortly after he exited, Israeli Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles struck the site, killing Ali Khamenei along with dozens of senior officers and relatives. Hosseini reportedly told officials that at least three missiles were used—one hitting the section where the elder Khamenei was present, another striking Mojtaba’s residence, and a third targeting the home of his brother-in-law, Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani.
The recording also detailed the scale of destruction. Among those killed was Iranian military chief Mohammad Shirazi, whose body was reportedly severely damaged in the blast. Another strike hit Bagheri Kani’s residence within the compound, with reports describing the explosion as extremely powerful.
Mojtaba Khamenei is said to have escaped with a minor leg injury. However, his wife, identified as Haddad, was reportedly killed in the attack. Another son of the late leader, Mostafa Khamenei, and his wife are believed to have survived unharmed.
The leaked audio has surfaced amid growing speculation about Mojtaba’s condition and whereabouts. He has not appeared publicly since the strike, fuelling rumours about the extent of his injuries. While some reports suggest serious injuries, including the possible loss of a leg, these claims remain unconfirmed.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump said American officials are uncertain about Mojtaba Khamenei’s status, noting that conflicting reports suggest he may be severely injured—or possibly dead.
