Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is incapacitated and undergoing medical treatment in the holy city of Qom, according to an intelligence assessment cited by The Times, raising fresh questions
about the country’s leadership structure during the ongoing war.
A diplomatic memo, understood to be based on US and Israeli intelligence and shared with Gulf allies, suggests that Khamenei is unconscious and suffering from a “severe” medical condition, leaving him unable to carry out decision-making responsibilities.
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“Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in a severe condition, unable to be involved in any decision-making by the regime,” the memo reads, according to the report.
The memo reportedly reveals the leader’s location for the first time, identifying Qom, considered sacred in Shia Islam and widely regarded as Iran’s religious capital, as the site of his treatment.
BURIAL PREPARATIONS FOR ALI KHAMENEI IN QOM
According to the report, the memo also indicates preparations for the burial of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the war.
The document states that intelligence agencies observed groundwork activity to construct a large mausoleum in Qom, possibly containing more than one grave.
The memo reportedly suggests that additional members of the Khamenei family, and potentially Mojtaba himself, could be buried alongside the late leader.
The report adds that US and Israeli intelligence agencies were believed to have known about Mojtaba Khamenei’s location for some time, though the details had not previously been made public.
Iran has confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the same airstrike that killed his father, his mother, his wife Zahra Haddad-Adel, and one of his sons on the first day of the war, the report claimed.
LIMITED PUBLIC APPEARANCES SINCE SUCCESSION
Despite being named the Supreme Leader in early March, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the start of the conflict.
The report noted that two statements attributed to Khamenei have been read on Iranian state television, while an AI-generated video showing him entering a war room and analysing a map of Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility was released earlier this week.
The absence of verified footage of the leader speaking has fueled speculation about his medical condition.
On March 30, Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written message thanking Iraq for its support in the war against the United States and Israel.
The message, cited by Iranian media, conveyed appreciation to Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and the Iraqi people for backing Iran during the conflict.
QUESTIONS OVER COMMAND STRUCTURE AMID WAR
An Associated Press report said questions remain about Iran’s leadership, noting that Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen publicly since becoming the Supreme Leader and that US officials have said he was wounded in the war.
According to AP, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other military units appear to be operating without a clear central command structure.
The report added that any ceasefire agreement that does not satisfy hardline factions could risk deepening divisions within Iran’s political leadership.
Reuters reported on March 31 that Russia’s ambassador to Iran told RTVI that Mojtaba Khamenei is in the country but avoiding public appearances “for understandable reasons.”
Reuters noted that Russia maintains close ties with Iran, including a strategic partnership treaty signed last year.
UNCERTAINTY OVER LEADERSHIP CONTINUES
The memo cited by The Times also suggested Iranian authorities may seek to avoid potential disruptions during burial ceremonies for the elder Khamenei, amid concerns that civilians could attempt to disturb proceedings or vandalise graves.
Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s third Supreme Leader following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, after he was killed in an airstrike at the beginning of the conflict.
The lack of public appearances and limited official communication has continued to fuel speculation about the health of Iran’s new Supreme Leader and the balance of power within the country’s leadership structure.
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