Mojtaba Khamenei injured in Israeli-American attacks. Administrative chaos in the country

The information has been confirmed by several sources. The son of Iran’s president, Yousef Pezeshkian, reported the incident on Wednesday via the Telegram messaging app. “I heard reports that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. I asked friends who have connections. They told me that, thank God, he is safe and healthy.” The New York Times also reported on the incident on Wednesday, citing three Iranian officials. They confirmed that Khamenei “was injured, particularly in the legs, but is conscious and safe in a heavily guarded location with limited communication access.”

Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the new Supreme Leader on Sunday, March 8, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 in Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran. According to AFP, the younger Khamenei was injured in the same attack that killed his father, and Israel was aware of this even before he was selected as Supreme Leader.

Iranian government sources also report internal chaos within the administration. President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly had no contact with the Supreme Leader since he took office, does not know his whereabouts or condition, and is uncertain if or when he will address the Iranian people. The government is said to be in a state of serious disarray and may be unable to pay officials’ salaries this month. The issue of salaries is particularly significant because March 20 marks Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian New Year. On that day, government employees traditionally receive year-end bonuses along with their regular pay.

The absence and lack of communication with the newly appointed Supreme Leader may have two explanations. First, Mojtaba Khamenei is currently the most important figure in the country, and his security is an absolute priority for Iran. Uncertainty surrounding his location and health condition makes it difficult to carry out a surgical strike while maintaining the appearance of continuity in the Supreme Leader’s authority. The second explanation suggests a more dramatic scenario: that the younger Khamenei was killed or incapacitated in the attacks, and the lack of information about his condition is intended merely to create the illusion of continuity of power.