‘Facial burns, speech difficulties’: Reports claim Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is awaiting prosthetic leg and plastic surgery
Ever since Mojtaba Khamenei took over as Iran’s Supreme Leader, he has remained unheard and unseen in public. On February 28, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in a US-Israeli joint strike. Six weeks later, Mojtaba assumed the leadership of Iran.
Iranian Supreme Leader awaiting prosthetic leg: Reports
According to a report by The NYT, Mojtaba Khamenei is being looked after by a team of doctors and medical staff who are treating the wounds he sustained in the attacks. It referenced four senior Iranian officials familiar with the matter, saying that one of his legs underwent surgery three times, and he is now awaiting a prosthetic.
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‘Facial burns, speech difficulties’
Besides, Mojtaba had a surgical procedure on one hand and is slowly regaining function. He even sustained facial burns, making it difficult for him to speak, the officials said, adding he will need plastic surgery.
How does the courier reach Mojtaba’s hideout?
Reports claimed that although senior commanders of the IRGC and high-ranking government officials do not visit Mojataba, President Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, along with the minister of health, were involved in his care. Messages to the Supreme Leader are handwritten, enclosed in sealed envelopes, and delivered through one reliable courier to another. It reaches his hide-out after a messenger travels on highways, back roads, in cars, and on motorcycles, the NYT reported. His guidance on issues loops back in the same way.
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“Mojtaba is not yet in full command or control. There is, perhaps, deference to him. He signs off, or he is part of the decision-making structure in a formal way. But he is presented with fait accompli presentations right now,” said Sanam Vakil of Chatham House, told the publication. Meanwhile, Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group also stated that Mojtaba is not supreme and might be the leader in name. “He is subservient to the Revolutionary Guards.”
Who is ruling Iran amid an internal power struggle?
The report further claimed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) played a decisive role in halting planned negotiations with the US in Islamabad. The country’s military is said to be overriding Tehran’s civilian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
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