Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in a coma and has lost at least one leg after being critically injured in an airstrike that killed his father, according to a report by The Sun.
The British tabloid reported that the 56-year-old son of the late Ali Khamenei suffered severe injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in Tehran. Sources cited in the report claimed the new leader “lost at least one leg and has also suffered serious stomach or liver damage.”
The report said it remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the same strike on February 28 that killed his 86-year-old father. However, it added that he is not currently directing Iran’s war strategy, which has been blamed for turmoil in global energy markets.
Hospitalised Under Tight Security
According to The Sun, Khamenei is being treated under tight security at Sina University Hospital. The report cited a source in the Iranian capital who said the leader is in “very serious” condition.
“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” the source told The Sun. The source added that the hospital unit where Khamenei is being treated has been sealed off and placed under heavy security while doctors continue intensive care treatment.
Senior Surgeon Overseeing Treatment
The report said veteran trauma surgeon Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi, Iran’s minister of health and a senior surgeon known for treating war injuries, is overseeing the treatment.
According to The Sun, Iranian state television has attempted to maintain the appearance of leadership by broadcasting what it described as Khamenei’s first statement since taking power.
The statement, however, was read by a news anchor rather than the leader himself. It warned that Iran would avenge the blood of Iranians and continue attacks targeting regional shipping routes, including threats to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Questions Over Who Is Directing the War
The report also claimed that Iran’s leadership structure may be continuing military operations without direct orders from Khamenei. An Iranian analyst quoted by The Sun said the country’s military operations could proceed even without an active leader.
“His father left behind a system which has kicked into gear which can be run by a ghost,” the analyst said. “That is why Iran’s missiles and drones are still flying and it’s why the war will go on.” The Sun said the claims could not be independently verified due to internet restrictions inside Iran and tight security surrounding the leader’s reported treatment.
Uncertainty Looms Over Iran
The reports of Mojtaba Khamenei being in a coma after suffering severe injuries raise serious questions about leadership and stability inside Iran at a highly sensitive moment. If the country’s newly appointed Supreme Leader is indeed incapacitated, it highlights how fragile power structures can become during times of conflict.
Iran’s political system has long been built around the authority of the Supreme Leader, but the situation suggests that state institutions and military networks may be continuing operations even without direct leadership. This creates uncertainty not only within Iran but also across the region, as ongoing tensions could escalate without clear political direction.
At the same time, the lack of verified information and strict control over communication inside the country shows how difficult it is for the outside world to fully understand what is happening at the top of Iran’s leadership.