Tehran has officially addressed the swirling rumors regarding the death of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Speculation about his demise intensified after he remained out of the public eye following the February 28 strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. However, on Wednesday, Yousef Pezeshkian, son of the Iranian President and a government adviser, stated that Mojtaba is “safe and sound” despite the intense regional conflict.

While reports of his death were dismissed, Iranian state television has referred to him as a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war,” subtly confirming that he sustained injuries during the recent airstrikes. According to reports from the New York Times, Mojtaba suffered leg injuries but remains alert and is currently being monitored at a highly secure, undisclosed location. Military analysts suggest his absence is a strategic move to prevent further assassination attempts.

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the successor amid an active war with Israel and the US has drawn global attention. While hardline factions within the IRGC remain loyal, the transition has also sparked debate over hereditary succession in Iran. For now, Tehran’s clarification aims to project stability within the regime as it navigates the most turbulent period in its modern history.