Iran’s newly elevated Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured in the same strike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, on February 28, according to remarks made by Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus in an interview with The Guardian.

Alireza Salarian said the younger Khamenei was present when the airstrike struck a residential compound near the presidential complex in Tehran during the opening phase of the conflict. The attack occurred on the tenth day of Ramadan and reportedly targeted a gathering of senior Iranian officials and family members.

According to the ambassador, Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries to his legs and arms in the bombardment and is believed to be recovering in hospital. “He was also there and he was injured in that bombardment, but I haven’t seen that reflected in the foreign news,” Salarian said, adding that the cleric is currently not in a condition to appear publicly or deliver an address. The injuries, he suggested, explain why the new supreme leader has not yet released a video message or appeared before supporters since assuming the position.

The strike proved devastating for the Khamenei family. Salarian said that Ali Khamenei was killed along with several close relatives, including his wife, daughter, son-in-law and a 14-month-old grandchild. The family had been gathered at their residence near the presidential office complex when the attack occurred. Several senior commanders who had reportedly been invited to the meeting were also killed.

Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, had four sons and two daughters and lived within the same compound where he conducted official business.

Western intelligence officials, according to The Guardian, believe Mojtaba Khamenei has deliberately stayed out of public view amid fears of further assassination attempts following the deadly strike in Tehran.

Iran’s newly elevated Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was injured in the same strike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, on February 28, according to remarks made by Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus in an interview with The Guardian.

Alireza Salarian said the younger Khamenei was present when the airstrike struck a residential compound near the presidential complex in Tehran during the opening phase of the conflict. The attack occurred on the tenth day of Ramadan and reportedly targeted a gathering of senior Iranian officials and family members.

According to the ambassador, Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries to his legs and arms in the bombardment and is believed to be recovering in hospital. “He was also there and he was injured in that bombardment, but I haven’t seen that reflected in the foreign news,” Salarian said, adding that the cleric is currently not in a condition to appear publicly or deliver an address. The injuries, he suggested, explain why the new supreme leader has not yet released a video message or appeared before supporters since assuming the position.

The strike proved devastating for the Khamenei family. Salarian said that Ali Khamenei was killed along with several close relatives, including his wife, daughter, son-in-law and a 14-month-old grandchild. The family had been gathered at their residence near the presidential office complex when the attack occurred. Several senior commanders who had reportedly been invited to the meeting were also killed.

Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic Republic for more than three decades, had four sons and two daughters and lived within the same compound where he conducted official business.

Western intelligence officials, according to The Guardian, believe Mojtaba Khamenei has deliberately stayed out of public view amid fears of further assassination attempts following the deadly strike in Tehran.