Iran‘s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly been wounded in the ongoing conflict; a major development coming just days after his appointment. Iranian state television referred to him as “janbaz,” meaning “wounded by the enemy,” in what they are calling the “Ramadan war,” though the report did not explain how he was injured.
According to Daily Mail, An analyst speaking on air later suggested the wounding may have happened during Mojtaba’s service in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, leaving conflicting accounts that could not be immediately confirmed. Mojtaba has not been seen in public since the current conflict began. His wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, and his father were both killed in Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Mojtaba, 56, is the second son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was announced as Iran’s new Supreme Leader on Sunday and appointed by the regime’s 88-person assembly. His own father had previously opposed his candidacy, reportedly concerned that a father-to-son succession would look too similar to the hereditary rule of the US-backed Shah monarchy that was overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Mojtaba Khamenei steps into one of the most dangerous leadership roles in the world right now
Israel has vowed to “eliminate” whoever succeeded the slain Ayatollah, having already killed him on the first day of the conflict. The Israeli military posted on social media in Farsi: “After neutralizing the tyrant Khamenei, the terrorist regime of Iran is attempting to rebuild itself and select a new leader. We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue every successor and every person who seeks to appoint a successor.”
President Trump has also called Mojtaba “unacceptable” and stated that any successor would need US approval to last. Trump’s unusual social media moves after Khamenei’s death sent shockwaves through Washington and made his position on Iran’s leadership transition very clear.
Despite his low public profile, US diplomatic cables have described Mojtaba as “the power behind the robes”: a key figure wielding considerable influence behind the scenes within the regime. He has strong ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and was reportedly chosen under pressure from them.
An Iran expert described him as “vengeful,” saying he “won’t let it go” after his father’s killing, and predicted that if he cannot get revenge on the US, he will take it out on ordinary people. Mojtaba is reportedly fluent in English, knowledgeable about military sciences and security affairs, and oversees an investment empire worth over £100 million, including luxury properties in north London.
Following his appointment, videos showed regime supporters in Tehran chanting his name, waving Iranian flags and shouting, “Allahu Akbar, Khamenei Rahbar,” meaning “God is great, Khamenei is the leader.” Iran’s military has also vowed to strike oil sites across the region in response to any Israeli attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
On Monday, Iran launched a large-scale attack on Gulf countries, with Bahrain suffering the most casualties; the Interior Ministry reported 32 injuries, including children, after its Bapco refinery was hit by drones.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq have also reported new attacks. The conflict is already hitting global energy markets hard, with oil prices rising above $100 per barrel for the first time in years.
Many are now asking what Trump’s exit strategy from the Iran war looks like as inflation rises and energy costs climb. Iran has also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil travels, threatening supplies and pushing up fuel and energy costs for consumers worldwide.
Published: Mar 9, 2026 08:18 am