Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei Is 90% Gone After 28 February Strike Killed Father
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 13
Trump Says Mojtaba Khamenei Is 90% Gone After 28 February Strike Killed Father
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 13
Summary
Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei is “90 per cent gone,” intensifying uncertainty over Iran’s supreme leader more than four months after the 28 February US-Israel strike in Tehran.
That strike killed his father, Ali Khamenei, and reportedly injured Mojtaba Khamenei, though Iran’s health ministry has rejected claims that his wounds were severe.
No verified photos or videos have shown Mojtaba Khamenei since he succeeded his father in early March, despite several written messages attributed to him, including a vow two days ago to avenge the killing.
His absence from early-July memorial ceremonies for Ali Khamenei has deepened questions over his whereabouts, as Israel had vowed before and after his succession to target him.
Is Iran's unseen leader a critically injured man in hiding or a puppet for a military takeover?
With Iran's new leader absent, who is truly commanding its military and nuclear ambitions?
2026 Iranian Succession and War: Mojtaba Khamenei’s Rise Amidst Regional Conflict and Economic Turmoil
Overview
Following the February 28, 2026 bombing that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and much of Mojtaba Khamenei’s family, Iran faced a sudden leadership crisis. For days, many believed Mojtaba had also been killed, but later reports revealed he was wounded, with the true extent of his injuries unclear. Despite his absence from public events, Mojtaba was swiftly named the new supreme leader, signaling the regime’s urgent need for stability. This uncertainty about his health and the rapid, non-traditional succession process have raised questions about the regime’s legitimacy and its ability to maintain control amid ongoing conflict and internal challenges.