Mojtaba Khamenei survived an American and Israeli bombing campaign in Tehran last February that left him injured and trapped under the hospital rubble, according to Mohsen Heydari, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts. Heydari revealed the details of the high-stakes rescue and subsequent secret leadership vote during a September 2026 interview with the Qatar-based television network Al Araby, shedding light on a succession process that played out under heavy wartime conditions.
The Hospital Bombings and Secret Rescue in Tehran
The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei was pulled from the wreckage of a medical facility after three separate hospitals in Tehran were hit by strikes, Heydari told Al Araby. Following the blasts, Mojtaba was moved to a location that remains secret. He has not appeared or spoken in public since the incident, leaving his exact current condition subject to intense speculation and US intelligence assessments pointing to severe facial injuries, as reported by the New York Post.
How Assembly Members Cast Ballots Amid the Qom Bombing
While rescue efforts were underway, the body responsible for choosing the supreme leader faced direct attacks. The secretariat of the Assembly of Experts in Qom was bombed, killing eight people and destroying documents containing reports and leadership recommendations. Members of the assembly recorded their votes on paper before fleeing to safe locations to complete the selection process. Heydari stated that he was the first member to nominate Mojtaba. Out of 59 votes cast on March 8, Mojtaba secured 50 votes, while Ayatollah Alireza Arafi received eight votes and one member abstained.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s Path From Behind the Shadows to Supreme Leader
Mojtaba remained entirely unaware of his election until state television broadcast the decision. Heydari described him as a figure who previously operated behind the scenes without holding any formal political office in the Iranian government, other than serving as an adviser to his father. Despite his lack of formal government titles, assembly members received briefings confirming he was healthy enough to lead and met all religious and leadership requirements. Government transition protocols dictate that a three-person council assumes temporary leadership duties if a sitting leader is incapacitated, managing a period that Mohsen describes as one of the most difficult that Iran has ever faced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mojtaba Khamenei’s Succession
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei is the 56-year-old son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the newly appointed Supreme Leader of Iran, having previously served as an adviser to his father.
When was Mojtaba Khamenei chosen as Supreme Leader?
He was selected by the Assembly of Experts on March 8, following a secretive voting process conducted while assembly offices in Qom were targeted by bombings.
What is Mojtaba Khamenei’s current health status?
His exact condition remains unconfirmed publicly since he has not appeared in public since February, though US intelligence assessments cited by the New York Post indicate he suffered severe facial injuries during the hospital strikes.
Where was Mojtaba Khamenei during the attacks?
He was pulled from the rubble of a Tehran hospital after three separate medical facilities were hit by US and Israeli strikes.
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