Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, has delivered his first public message since assuming the country’s highest political and religious position earlier this week.
The statement was read on Iranian state television, marking the first official communication from the new leader since he took office following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Despite the announcement of his appointment on Sunday, Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet appeared in public.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the new supreme leader was injured during the opening phase of the recent military escalation involving the United States and Israel. Reports indicate he suffered a fractured foot and several minor injuries during the first wave of airstrikes.
Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, told British media that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the same attack that killed his father. The strike reportedly also resulted in the deaths of five additional members of the Khamenei family.
In a separate development, Iranian state media reported that a new image released through the official Telegram channel of the supreme leader offers a rare glimpse of Mojtaba Khamenei’s handwriting. The image shows a handwritten list of Iran’s supreme leaders, including himself, his father Ali Khamenei, and the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini.
Below the list appears the phrase: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” The expression is traditionally used at the beginning of most chapters of the Quran and is widely interpreted as symbolizing a new beginning.
The release of the message and handwritten note is seen as an attempt to signal continuity in leadership at a time when Iran faces intense military pressure and regional tensions following the recent escalation in the Middle East.
