Questions Over Iran's Leadership as Mojtaba Lies Unconscious
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly unconscious. Questions have arisen regarding who is holding the reins of power in Iran.
Mojtaba’s condition, as reported by The Times of India on Tuesday (7/4/2026), was revealed in a diplomatic memo seen by The Times, based on assessments from US and Israeli intelligence. Mojtaba is said to be unconscious and undergoing emergency medical treatment in the city of Qom, Iran.
The 56-year-old Supreme Leader of Iran is, according to the diplomatic memo, in a “critical” condition and “unable to engage in any decision-making by the Tehran regime”.
The diplomatic memo, which states that Mojtaba is receiving medical treatment in Qom, marks the first time the location of Iran’s Supreme Leader has been revealed to the public.
The report adds that intelligence agencies have known of Mojtaba’s whereabouts for some time but have never disclosed it publicly.
Mojtaba Was Once Injured When His Father Was Killed in an Israeli Airstrike
Iran has acknowledged that Mojtaba was injured in a US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several close family members of Khamenei on 28 February.
However, Iranian officials have insisted that Mojtaba remains “leading” Iran, even though he has not appeared in public since the war began. There have been no verified videos or audio recordings of him released, only written statements read out on Iranian state television, and clips generated by AI released in the past few days.
The lack of direct communication has sparked speculation that Iran’s Supreme Leader may be unable to perform his duties, with opposition groups claiming that Mojtaba is in a coma in hospital.
Several other unverified reports mention that he has suffered serious injuries, including broken bones and facial wounds. His condition has raised uncertainty over the chain of command in Iran, where the Supreme Leader holds the highest political and religious authority.
This situation has prompted questions about whether the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is effectively in control, potentially reducing Mojtaba to a symbolic figure.
US President Donald Trump appears to reinforce this perception, stating that he is negotiating with other Iranian officials and not directly with the country’s Supreme Leader.
This uncertainty at the top of Iran’s leadership comes as tensions continue to rise. Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, setting shifting deadlines related to demands over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran itself has rejected a US-proposed ceasefire and asserted that it will not surrender under pressure.