Tehran: Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, narrowly survived a deadly US-Israel strike that killed his father Ali Khamenei and several senior figures, according to a leaked audio report cited by international media.
The incident, which took place on February 28, is said to have targeted the core leadership of Iran in a coordinated attack on the Khamenei family compound in Tehran.
Narrow escape moments before blast
According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei stepped out into the yard of the compound shortly before the strike and was returning indoors when the explosion occurred.
The timing proved critical, as he reportedly escaped with only minor injuries to his leg. The strike, however, proved fatal for several of his family members, including his wife Zahra Haddad-Adel and their son, who were killed instantly.
The details are based on a purported leaked audio recording attributed to a senior official in the late leader’s office. The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified.
Coordinated strike on leadership compound
The attack reportedly took place at around 9:32 am local time and involved multiple strikes hitting different sections of the compound simultaneously.
The objective, according to the account, was to eliminate key members of Iran’s political and military leadership in one operation.
Among those present was Mostafa Khamenei, another son of Ali Khamenei, who reportedly escaped unharmed along with his wife.
Senior officials killed in blast
The strike is said to have caused extensive casualties among Iran’s top leadership.
Among those killed was senior military official Mohammad Shirazi, who was reportedly caught in the blast. The impact of the explosion was described as extremely powerful, leaving behind only partial remains for identification.
Also among the deceased was Ali Khamenei’s son-in-law Misbah al-Huda Bagheri Kani, who was present within the compound at the time of the attack.
Escalation of regional conflict
The strike forms part of a wider military campaign launched jointly by the United States and Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran.
The killing of Ali Khamenei marked a significant turning point in the conflict, triggering retaliatory strikes by Iran across the region, including missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and US interests.
Questions over intelligence and targeting
The detailed nature of the strike has raised questions about the level of intelligence involved and how the location of high-ranking officials was identified.
Analysts suggest that the simultaneous targeting of multiple residential and administrative structures within the compound points to a highly coordinated and precise operation.
However, the lack of independent verification of the leaked audio has also led to caution among observers regarding some of the more specific claims.
Conclusion
The reported survival of Mojtaba Khamenei underscores the narrow margins that can determine leadership continuity in times of conflict. While the strike dealt a severe blow to Iran’s top command, it also set the stage for further escalation in an already volatile region.
As tensions continue to rise, the incident highlights both the intensity of the conflict and the uncertainty surrounding the future political landscape of Iran.