Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei suffered severe facial disfigurement and a serious injury to one or both legs in the same airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at the start of the war, reported Reuters quoting three people close to his inner circle.
Khamenei's face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's compound in central Tehran, all three sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Reportedly, a source familiar with US intelligence assessments separately told Reuters that Khamenei was believed to have lost a leg. Whereas, the CIA declined to comment.
The 56-year-old is nonetheless recovering and remains mentally sharp, the sources said. He has been participating in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing and is actively engaged in decision-making on the war and the ongoing negotiations with Washington.
ALSO READ: Iran War Impact: Brent At $96 But Why India Still Can't Afford To Relax
Khamenei was wounded on February 28, the first day of the war launched by the US and Israel, in the attack that also killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989. His wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law were among other family members killed in the strike.
There has been no official Iranian statement on the extent of his injuries. Iran's UN mission also did not respond to Reuters' questions, as per report.
The new accounts are consistent with a statement US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth made on March 13, when he said Khamenei was "wounded and likely disfigured."
ALSO READ:Islamabad Hosts US-Iran Talks: Where, When And What To Expect — Check Key Leaders Attending
The disclosure raises fresh questions about the stability of Iran's leadership. As per reports, in the interim, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has emerged as the dominant force on strategic decisions during the war.
The news breaks on the same day Iran's delegation arrived in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with the United States, the most consequential diplomatic engagement Tehran has entered in decades.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.