Iran’s new Ayatollah ‘is in a coma and loses leg after air strike’

Days after Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei took over from his father, it’s been reported that he is in a coma.

Sources have claimed he’s lost one leg and suffered serious abdominal injuries in a US-Israeli air strike.

It remains unclear when Mojtaba suffered the injuries, but the reports come just days after he was appointed to take over from his father, Ali Khamenei.

Gathering for Ramadan in the same bunker, Mojtaba Khamenei’s father, Ali Khamenei, mother, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, his wife of 20 years, Zahra and one of his sons, reported as Mohammad, were all killed in the strike that launched the war in late February.

Air strike

In that strike, Mojtaba suffered a fractured foot, a bruise around his left eye, as well as minor lacerations to his face, a source familiar with the situation told CNN.

Now, reports appear to show that he is seeking treatment in the intensive care unit at Sina University Hospital in Tehran.

The anonymous source told The Sun: ‘One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well.’

The news comes a day after fears surfaced that Mojtaba could seek ‘personal revenge’ after his family members were killed in strikes.

Dr Katayoun Shahandeh, a Lecturer in the history of Art and Museology, told Metro: ‘It is very likely that retaliation and resistance will become central themes in Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership, at least in rhetoric.

‘The strikes that killed the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Mojtaba’s father) and members of his family will inevitably shape the political atmosphere in Tehran.

‘Reports suggest that Mojtaba himself was injured in the same attack and lost close relatives, which makes the moment not only political but deeply personal.’

Earlier today, Iran struck two oil tankers with explosives, causing them to burst into flames off the coast of Iraq.

The boats are believed to be laden with explosives and are unmanned, similar to drones – except on water.

Around 1.30 am local time, Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyroswere were hit by an ‘unknown projectile’ off the coast of Iraq, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operation.

38 crew members were rescued, and one person died, according to Iraqi news agencies.

Another container ship was hit overnight off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, catching fire – but the crew is safe.

Iraq’s director general of the General Company for Ports, Farhan al-Fartousi, said: ‘Two foreign tankers carrying Iraqi fuel oil were subjected to unidentified attacks inside territorial waters, causing them to catch fire.’ 

Iraq has since stopped all ports which import and export oil, but said commercial ports which serve container ships will continue to operate as normal.