A significant report has emerged claiming that Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed Supreme Leader of Iran, was pulled from the rubble of a hospital following a series of intense military strikes, while according to a report by the New York Post, the 56 year old leader was severely injured during the operations conducted by the United States and Israel. The report suggests that the strikes specifically targeted medical facilities where the leader was believed to be seeking treatment after sustaining injuries in earlier attacks. The situation has added a layer of mystery to the current leadership transition in Iran, as the leader has not been seen in public since the incident.
The Bombing of Three Medical Facilities
The details of this incident were brought to light by Mohsen Haidari, a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts. In an interview with the Qatari television network Al Araby, Haidari disclosed that three different hospitals in Tehran were bombed during the military campaign. He stated that even after Mojtaba Khamenei was injured and transported for medical care, the strikes continued to follow him, while according to Haidari, the leader was present in the third hospital when it was hit, and rescue teams eventually managed to pull him out from under the debris of the destroyed building. Since being rescued from the rubble, the 56 year old Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly moved to an undisclosed location, and there has been no public sighting or official news regarding his current condition or whereabouts.
The Selection Process of the New Supreme Leader
The news report also shed light on the internal processes of the Iranian government during this period of conflict. Haidari discussed the procedure through which Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the new Supreme Leader of Iran on 8 March. Interestingly, it appears that Mojtaba Khamenei himself was unaware of his selection until the official announcement was made on Iranian state television. The Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for choosing the Supreme Leader, was also reportedly targeted during these military operations. The secretariat of the Assembly, located in Qom, was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 8 people. This attack also led to the destruction of vital reports and recommendations related to the selection of the new leader.
Voting Details and the Man in the Shadows
Haidari provided a detailed account of the voting process that took place in a secret room. He recalled that the members of the Assembly wrote their votes on paper, and he was the first member to suggest the name of Mojtaba Khamenei. He emphasized that given the current situation with the enemy, the Assembly felt there was no better choice than Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to lead the Islamic Republic. He stated that they received information that Mojtaba Khamenei was healthy and capable of leading, meeting all the requirements of religious merit, justice, and capability, while during the meeting, Mojtaba Khamenei received 50 out of 59 votes. Meanwhile, 8 members voted in favor of Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, and 1 member didn't cast a vote. Haidari described Mojtaba Khamenei as a "man in the shadows," noting that he had not held any formal political position in the Iranian government before becoming the Supreme Leader, although he had served as an advisor to his father.
Uncertainty and Intelligence Reports
The New York Post report highlighted the ongoing speculation regarding the health of Mojtaba Khamenei. US intelligence reports had previously indicated that he was seriously injured in the strikes. Last month, US President Donald Trump expressed his belief that the Iranian Supreme Leader is still alive, despite the serious injuries sustained during the military operations. The mystery continues to grow as the Iranian leader remains out of the public eye, leaving many to wonder about the future of the country's leadership under these extraordinary circumstances.