Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, came very close to losing his life in the same attack that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, along with several family members and top government officials.
Reports based on a leaked audio recording — first cited by The Telegraph and later picked up by other major news outlets — suggest that Mojtaba had walked out of his residence just a few moments before missiles hit the building. That timing may have saved his life.
What Went Down
The attack reportedly happened on February 28 and is believed to have been a joint operation carried out by the United States and Israel. The target was a heavily secured compound connected to Iran’s top leadership.
The leaked audio, said to be from a closed-door meeting of Iranian officials, describes how multiple missiles struck different parts of the compound — including residential sections where the Khamenei family lived.
A senior official from Ali Khamenei’s office, identified as Mazaher Hosseini, reportedly explained what happened. According to him, Mojtaba had stepped outside briefly and was on his way back indoors when the missiles hit.
A Lucky Escape
Being outside at that exact moment is what likely kept Mojtaba alive. Hosseini reportedly said he walked away with just a minor leg injury, though no official statement has confirmed his actual health status.
Since the strike, Mojtaba has not been seen in public. The only communication from him was a brief message aired on state television, in which he vowed revenge for the lives lost.
The Scale of the Damage
The attack reportedly caused significant casualties. Besides Ali Khamenei, Iran’s military chief Mohammad Shirazi was also said to have been killed. The audio described the destruction as massive.
Mojtaba reportedly lost his wife, his son, and his brother-in-law, Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani — all of whom were inside the compound when the strike occurred. Another family member, Mostafa Khamenei, was said to have been nearby but managed to escape along with his wife.
Hard to Verify
The leaked recording reportedly contained very graphic accounts of the destruction caused by the missiles. However, these details are difficult to confirm independently, which has led some to question the credibility of the report.
Mojtaba’s Condition Still Unknown
There is still no clear picture of where Mojtaba Khamenei stands today. Some sources say his injuries were minor, but his continued absence from public life has fueled speculation. Even former US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that American officials are uncertain whether Mojtaba is alive, seriously injured, or something in between.
The claims in this report rest largely on a single leaked audio recording. Independent outlets have noted that they were unable to confirm whether the recording was genuine.
No official confirmation has come from Iranian authorities, and major international news outlets have not independently verified the finer details of the incident.
This remains a developing story. While a major strike and its deadly consequences appear to be widely reported, many specifics — including exactly how Mojtaba survived — are still unverified. Readers should treat the details with caution until more reliable information becomes available.
Andy Roberts is a seasoned journalist with nearly 9 years experience. While studying journalism at Ryerson, Annie found a passion for finding engaging stories. As a contributor to White Pine Tribune, Annie mostly covers provincial and national developments..
