WASHINGTON (Realist English). Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured and is currently unable to fully perform his duties, a senior Israeli official told Fox News.
According to the official, Khamenei is being closely guarded by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who are reportedly managing his security and communications.
Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst cited Israeli sources as saying intelligence services are still working to determine the severity of the reported injuries.
Iranian authorities have not confirmed the claim. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming the position of supreme leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during the initial wave of strikes carried out as part of Operation Epic Fury — the same attacks that reportedly killed the previous Iranian leader.
Khamenei issued his first written statement on Thursday, warning that Iran could open additional fronts in the conflict. Some analysts, however, have suggested the message may have been prepared or coordinated by IRGC officials.