Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, sustained wounds to his legs, arm and shoulder in the US-Israeli strikes that killed his father on the opening day of the war, the Iranian ambassador to Cyprus has confirmed.
Alireza Salarian, Iran’s ambassador in Nicosia, made the disclosure in an interview with the Guardian — the first confirmation by an Iranian official of injuries to the 56-year-old cleric, who was elected to the country’s highest office on Sunday following his father’s death.
“He was there too and was wounded during that bombing,” Salarian told the British newspaper. “I heard that he was wounded in the legs, the arm and the shoulder. I think he is in hospital. I don’t think he is in a position to give a speech.”
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his election as supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, fuelling days of mounting speculation about his condition.
An earlier statement by the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian on Telegram sought to dispel concern, saying Khamenei was “safe and unharmed.” The ambassador’s remarks to the Guardian directly contradict that account.
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