16.3.2026
Newly installed Supreme Leader of Iran Mojtaba Khamenei’s whereabouts remains a topic of speculation as the war between the Islamic Republic country and the USA supported by Israel continues to rage.
Mojtaba, 56, had not been seen in public after succeeded his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s who was killed in a devastating air strike on the first day of the war on February 28. Mojtaba who also lost his wife and sister in the strikes is reported to have suffered life threatening injuries.
According to reports by Kuwaiti news outlet Al-Jarida Mojtaba had been flown out of Tehran to Moscow where he had surgery for his wounds. Sources hinted that Mojtaba has suffered amputation and his internal organs raptured in the attack. He is said to be in one of President Vladimir Putin’s presidential palaces in Moscow.
US President Donald Trump in one of his regular social media posts claimed that Mojtaba is dead, while other sources suggest that he is in a coma and not even aware he has been made Supreme Leader or even his country is at war with the US and Israel.
Meanwhile Israel Defense Forces said they ‘destroyed’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s private plane.
In a statement on X on Monday morning, the IDF claimed the plane, which was targeted at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, was used by Ali Khamenei and other senior officials of the regime to ‘advance military purchases and manage communications with the Axis countries through domestic and international flights.’
‘The destruction of this plane damages the Iranian terrorist regime’s leadership coordination capabilities with the Axis countries, the process of strengthening military capabilities, and the regime’s ability to rebuild,’ the post added.