Iranian Cleric Says New Supreme Leader Was Rescued From Hospital Rubble

Iranian cleric and Assembly of Experts member Mohsen Heydari says Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the February 28 strikes that killed his father and later rescued from the rubble of a Tehran hospital hit in subsequent U.S.-Israeli bombing. The account has not been independently verified, and Khamenei has not appeared publicly since; Heydari cited security concerns for his absence. Heydari said the Assembly selected Khamenei in a secretive process after its Qom facility was bombed, and that Khamenei learned of his selection on March 8 when it was announced on state television. Heydari also denied that Khamenei’s father had recommended him as successor. President Donald Trump has said he believes Khamenei is alive but seriously wounded.
Heydari said Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured before the Israel-U.S. war began, but did not describe the nature or severity of the injury.
Heydari described Khamenei as a “shadow man” who had held no formal political position under his father, but sometimes advised him when Ali Khamenei did not have time to handle matters.
Heydari said the Assembly’s Qom secretariat bombing killed eight people and destroyed reports and recommendations about selecting a new leader; members later wrote their votes on paper and were summoned to a secret meeting without advance notice of its location or purpose.
According to Heydari, after the Assembly chose him, Khamenei was “legally and religiously” obligated to accept the leadership decision.
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