By Paul Joseph
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly not appeared in any audio or video message since taking power due to severe injuries sustained in alleged Israeli airstrikes, according to sources cited in foreign reports.
The claims suggest the 56-year-old leader suffered extensive burns to his face and lips, leaving him unable to speak clearly and requiring future reconstructive surgery. His condition reportedly followed strikes said to have taken place on February 28.
According to Iranian officials quoted in reports, Khamenei also sustained serious injuries to his limbs, including repeated surgeries on one leg and ongoing treatment for a hand injury. He is also said to be awaiting a prosthetic.
The reports further claim that his injuries have made him physically vulnerable, prompting extreme security precautions.
Senior officials allegedly avoid direct contact with him over fears of exposure to further attacks, while communication is said to be heavily restricted and routed through handwritten messages carried by trusted couriers.
The situation, according to the sources, has contributed to an unusual power structure in Tehran, with significant authority reportedly delegated to military-linked institutions such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
U.S. officials have cited internal leadership uncertainty in Iran as a factor complicating diplomatic engagement, including ongoing ceasefire discussions and nuclear-related negotiations.
Former President Donald Trump has also previously suggested that fragmented leadership in Tehran is slowing diplomatic progress.
Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the medical claims or the extent of Khamenei’s condition, and independent verification remains limited.
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