Iran: Mojtaba Khamenei injured but in good condition

Moscow – Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has sustained injuries but is in good condition, said Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

“He (Mojtaba) is injured, but his condition is good. I do not know when he will deliver his first speech as supreme leader of Iran,” Baghaei told the newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Three or four persons competed for the position of Iran’s supreme leader, added Baghaei, but the majority of the Assembly of Experts has selected Khamenei Jr.

Regarding ceasefire terms, Baghaei stated that his side is currently focused on efforts to protect Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“In June 2025, after 12 days, the United States and Israel said, ‘Let us stop’; and we stopped. The ceasefire call is a funny charade. That is why the entire country is now determined to defend itself,” said Baghaei.

Previously, on 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks against targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

America and Israel initially claimed their attacks were necessary to counter what they considered threats stemming from Iran’s nuclear programme. However, they quickly clarified that the attacks were carried out because they wanted to see a change of power in Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba’s father, was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli military operation. The Islamic Republic of Iran declared 40 days of mourning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Khamenei’s killing as a cynical violation of international law. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the US-Israeli operation and called for immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities.

Subsequently, on Monday (9 March), Iran’s Assembly of Experts confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei has been selected as the new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.