Report: Mojtaba Khamenei Narrowly Escaped Strike That Killed Iran’s Supreme Leader
Tehran: Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, reportedly survived a deadly airstrike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, by only moments after stepping outside his residence shortly before missiles struck the leadership compound in Tehran.
According to a report by The Telegraph, Mojtaba Khamenei escaped the February 28 strike after briefly leaving the building just before the attack began. The report cited a leaked audio recording attributed to a senior official from the office of the late supreme leader.
Leaked recording describes moments before the strike
The recording, reportedly verified by the newspaper, was said to contain remarks by Mazaher Hosseini, identified as the protocol chief in Ali Khamenei’s office, during a meeting in Tehran on March 12.
Hosseini reportedly said the compound was struck at about 9:32 a.m. local time in what appeared to be a coordinated attack targeting members of the Khamenei family and senior figures of the Iranian leadership simultaneously.
According to the account, Mojtaba Khamenei had gone into the yard moments before the missiles hit and was returning toward the building when the explosions occurred. He reportedly sustained a leg injury in the attack.
Family members and senior officials killed
The report said the strike killed several people inside the compound, including Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, and their son.
It also reported the deaths of Mojtaba’s brother-in-law Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani and Mohammad Shirazi, who headed Ali Khamenei’s military bureau. Multiple sections of the leadership complex were reportedly hit during the strike.
Strike triggered leadership transition
The February 28 attack resulted in the death of Ali Khamenei and triggered a rapid succession process within Iran’s political leadership. Mojtaba Khamenei was officially named the country’s new supreme leader on March 8 after several days of uncertainty following the strike.
Since then, speculation has continued regarding his health and ability to lead. Mojtaba has not appeared publicly since the attack, and his first message after assuming power was broadcast on state television through a recorded statement rather than delivered in person.
Debate over succession
The report also cited US intelligence assessments suggesting that Ali Khamenei had previously opposed his son succeeding him as supreme leader, reportedly questioning his suitability for the role.
Analysts say Mojtaba Khamenei’s rise to power may signal continuity within Iran’s ruling structure but could also increase the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the country’s decision-making.
The leaked audio, as described in the report, adds new details to the dramatic strike that reshaped Iran’s leadership, suggesting the current supreme leader survived the attack that killed his father by only a matter of minutes.
