According to Israeli national security sources, Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is little more than an “empty entity” that is not at the helm of the regime.
The son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a targeted Israeli attack on February 28, has also been linked to what officials describe as a “malfunctioning” regime.
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“Mojtaba Khamenei does not appear in public, but we also have reliable information that he does not control or lead the regime and what is left of the regime.
“The current Iranian leadership is broken, confused and almost dysfunctional.”
A mourner holds a poster showing Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, right, his late father’s successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, as supreme leader, during the funeral procession for senior Iranian military officials and civilians killed during the US-Israeli campaign in Tehran, Iran, March 11, 2026. (Vahid Salemi/AP Photo)
Mojtaba reportedly escaped death for minutes when his father was killed on February 28 as he left the compound for a walk shortly before an Israeli missile strike, according to leaked audio accessed by The Telegraph.
The audio, reportedly from a March 12 meeting, revealed details of the strikes that also killed several members of the Khamenei family.
Mazaher Hosseini, chief of protocol for Khamenei’s office, is said to be heard in the audio telling senior leaders that Mojtaba had suffered “a minor injury to his leg.”
Since being appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba has not made a single public appearance. Instead, a message from him was read out on Iranian state television, warning of continued strikes and urging Gulf states to close U.S. bases.
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Iranian Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer commanding the Basij forces (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, file; Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images, file)
Other reports claimed Mojtaba was in critical condition or even in a coma, although Iranian officials have insisted the new supreme leader is in good health.
Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge on Wednesday after the killing of senior security official Ali Larijani in an Israeli attack.
“Such acts of terror only reflect the hostility of the enemies and will strengthen the resolve of the Islamic nation. Undoubtedly, justice will be served,” the statement said.
Larijani, one of Iran’s top security officials, was killed after Israeli intelligence located him and other officials on the outskirts of Tehran.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), other senior figures have also been killed in recent attacks, including Basij militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani.
“This is not a new phase, but an ongoing effort, a very successful and impressive one and a crucial part of the strategy aimed at weakening the Iranian regime,” Michael said of the continued attacks on regime figures.
“This is to the extent that the country will not be able to recover itself and/or become a serious threat and destabilizing player in the wider Middle East again.”
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President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
After the opening attacks between the US and Israel, President Donald Trump told the Iranian people that their “moment of freedom” was near.
“When we’re done, take over your government. It’s up to you,” Trump said, suggesting the US would help topple the Iranian regime.
“At the same time, by weakening the regime and crippling its capabilities in general and its domestic control in particular, the US and Israel are facilitating the necessary conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow the regime,” Michael added.
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“This is the ultimate victory in their eyes, and the route to this destination is for them to try to increase the damage wherever they can.”
