Iran has said that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in “full health” after reports that he sustained life-altering injuries in US-Israeli attacks. The regime described his condition as a “small scratch behind the ear”, despite earlier claims that he required plastic surgery and a prosthetic leg.
According to reports, Ayatollah Khamenei suffered injuries to his kneecap and back during strikes on 28 February that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. Four senior Iranian officials told the New York Times that the 56-year-old is gravely wounded, with one leg operated on three times and his face and lips badly burnt, making speech difficult.
In Tehran’s first public comments, delivered through the semi-official Fars News agency, the regime said: “[His] back injury has improved during this period, and the kneecap injury will soon heal as well. He is in full health.” Mazaher Hosseini, director general of protocol at the office of the supreme leader, said there was only a “small crack behind the ear” when asked about facial injuries.
Leaked comments from Hosseini, reported by The Telegraph, suggested Khamenei narrowly escaped death. He said the leader had gone outside moments before Israeli Blue Sparrow missiles struck his residence at 9.32am, killing his wife instantly. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said he met Khamenei at an undisclosed location on Thursday, praising his “vision and humble approach”.
