Officials say Mojtaba Khamenei’s legs were hurt, but the circumstances as well as the extent of his injuries were unclear. He has remained out of view since being announced as leader three days ago.
His father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had turned what was traditionally a religious affairs office into a shadowy national security juggernaut.
The president said the U.S. could accompany tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary to keep oil flowing. “We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” he said.
Oil prices and stocks initially swung wildly, and Iran’s foreign minister promised “surprises,” calling the strikes against his country “Operation Epic Mistake.”
Oil prices and stocks initially swung wildly, and Iran’s foreign minister promised “surprises,” calling the strikes against his country “Operation Epic Mistake.”
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei could prove to be even more radical than his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by the U.S. and Israel at the start of the war.
Opponents of the government, however, worried the new supreme leader, a son of the recently killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would rule with an iron fist like his father.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as his father’s successor. The Pentagon announced the death of a seventh U.S. service member.
Mojtaba Khamenei takes on a role that makes him not only Iran’s spiritual leader but also the highest authority in the land.
The selection of a son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a strike on his compound at the start of the war, could anger Iranians seeking change.