Iran's newly elected supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly sustained injuries on the first day of a large-scale military confrontation with the United States and Israel. According to The New York Times, citing high-ranking Iranian officials, health issues of Ali Khamenei's successor are the reason for his prolonged absence from the public eye.

Sources from the publication indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei's injuries include a foot fracture, multiple facial lacerations, and a hematoma around his left eye. Due to leg injuries, the Iranian leader remains out of public view. Official Tehran is meticulously concealing any details about his condition, fearing that information leaks could reveal his current location and provoke new attacks.

Against this backdrop, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a statement urging Khamenei to heed the demands of U.S. President Donald Trump. Commenting on reports of the Iranian leader's injuries, Hegseth noted he could not provide official comments on the situation but emphasized Washington's hardline stance.

Previously, it was stated that the White House is prepared to support further direct attacks on the republic's leadership. President Donald Trump allegedly set a harsh condition: the safety of Mojtaba Khamenei and a cessation of strikes directly depend on Iran's complete abandonment of its nuclear program. Amid ongoing escalation, the question of the new leader's capability has become a key factor in regional geopolitics.

Recall that the situation in the Middle East escalated into a large-scale regional conflict after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on February 28. Over the past ten days, military actions have involved Lebanon and Persian Gulf countries, where U.S. military bases are located. As of March 10, the total number of casualties in the region is estimated in the hundreds, and the geography of strikes continues to expand.

Source: podrobno.uz