Nearly four days after Iran named Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, uncertainty continues to surround his whereabouts and the circumstances of his appointment.
The 56-year-old cleric has not appeared publicly, issued a video message or released a written statement since the announcement. Iranian state media has instead relied on archival footage while introducing him to the public.
Reports in Iranian media suggest Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during the ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which authorities have described as the “Ramadan War”. State television has referred to him as the “Jaanbaz of Ramadan” — a term used for a wounded war veteran — though no details about the alleged injuries have been provided.
His absence from public view has fuelled speculation about his health and current condition. Despite the uncertainty, state media continues to broadcast messages of support and loyalty to the new leader.
In Tehran, a large mural has been installed at Valiasr Square showing Mojtaba Khamenei receiving the Iranian flag from his late father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, looking on. The mural appears intended to portray the transition of power as smooth, although the father-to-son succession has drawn criticism from those who see it as contradicting the republic’s anti-monarchy origins.
Supporters also gathered in Tehran on Tuesday to pledge allegiance to the new leader, with organisers saying the rally was partly in response to comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting that Iran’s leadership should be approved by Washington.
Meanwhile, speculation about Mojtba Khamenei’s location persists. US media reports claim an elite Iranian counterterrorism unit known as NOPO has been assigned to protect him following the assassination of his father.
The force, established in 1991, typically handles hostage rescue operations rather than providing security for Iran’s supreme leader.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who for decades maintained a relatively low public profile while building influence within Iran’s political and security institutions, now assumes power at a time of intense military pressure and domestic unrest.
Analysts say his appointment signals that Iran is unlikely to soften its stance toward the United States and Israel and that the new leader may continue the hardline policies pursued by his father.
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