Mojtaba Khamenei was "pulled from rubble" of hospital after US strikes: Report
Reports suggest Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei was rescued from hospital rubble following US and Israeli strikes. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
In a startling revelation, reports suggest that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was rescued from the debris of a Tehran hospital following targeted strikes by US and Israeli forces. The incident has intensified global speculation regarding the health and whereabouts of the Iranian leader, who has remained out of the public eye for some time.
A Narrow Escape from Hospital Strikes
According to a report by the New York Post, the revelation came from Mohsen Heydari, a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts, during an interview with the Qatari television network Al Araby. Heydari claimed that even after being wounded and transported for medical care, the facility was not safe from the conflict.
“Even after he had been wounded and taken to the hospital, three hospitals in Tehran were bombed,” Heydari stated. He specifically noted that Mojtaba Khamenei was located in the third hospital at the time of the attack and was "pulled from the rubble."
Following the incident, the 56-year-old leader reportedly vanished to an undisclosed location. He has neither been seen in public nor heard from since the strikes, fueling rumors about his physical condition.
The Secret Selection of a New Leader
During the same interview, Heydari provided unexpected details regarding how Mojtaba Khamenei was selected to lead Iran on March 8. The process was described as highly secretive, involving the Assembly of Experts.
Key details from the selection process include:
- The Vote: Mojtaba Khamenei secured 50 out of 59 votes. Eight members voted for Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, and one member abstained.
- The Surprise: Heydari suggested that Khamenei may not have even known he had been chosen until the official announcement was broadcast on state television.
- The Proposal: Heydari revealed he was the first to suggest Khamenei's name, arguing that the leader met all religious and competence requirements despite having held no formal political position previously.
Heydari referred to the new leader as a “man of the shadows,” noting that while he had served as an adviser to his father, he had no prior official role within the Iranian state hierarchy.
Conflicting Reports on His Condition
The mystery surrounding Khamenei's health has led to a series of contradictory statements from international and Iranian officials.
US intelligence reports have previously suggested that the leader suffered disfiguring injuries during the attacks. This sentiment was echoed by former US President Donald Trump in an interview with commentator Glenn Beck. While Trump expressed belief that Khamenei is still alive, he noted the severity of the injuries: "He was very seriously wounded. The left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing."
In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed concerns regarding the leader's health. Speaking to Fox News, Pezeshkian claimed that Khamenei is “completely” healthy, following a lengthy meeting between the two leaders last month.
As the leader remains absent from the public stage, the world continues to watch for any sign of his return or further clarity on the strikes that targeted the heart of Iran's leadership.