Mojtaba Khamenei has severe and disfiguring wounds, says report

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is recovering from severe facial and leg injuries sustained in the airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Khomeini, at the start of the war, people familiar with his inner circle told news agency Reuters.

The strike hit the Supreme Leader's compound in central Tehran on February 28, the first day of the conflict launched by the United States and Israel.

Mojtaba Khamenei's face was left disfigured and he suffered serious injuries to one or both legs, the sources said. His wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law were among family members killed in the same attack.

Despite the injuries, he is said to be mentally alert and actively involved in governance.

Two of the sources said he participates in meetings with senior officials through audio conferencing and continues to take part in decisions on major issues, including the war and negotiations with Washington.

His condition came at a sensitive moment for Iran, as high-stakes peace talks with the United States opened in Islamabad today amid heightened regional tensions. There has been no official Iranian statement detailing the extent of his injuries.

Since the airstrike and his appointment as Iran's Supreme Leader on March 8, no photo, video or audio recording of Mojtaba Khamenei has been released, deepening public uncertainty about his condition and role.

According to Reuters, Iran's United Nations mission did not respond to queries on his health or the absence of public appearances. One source familiar with US intelligence assessments told the news agency that Khamenei is believed to have lost a leg.