The mystery of Mojtaba Jameneí's whereabouts, the new Supreme Leader of Iran

There is a mystery surrounding Mojtaba Jameneí's whereabouts, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Jameneí and elected as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.

“There is a mystery surrounding Mojtaba Jameneí's whereabouts, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Jameneí and elected as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic”

El País

There is no trace of him since the bombing that killed his father and other members of his family, including his wife.

El País

On what was the first day of the United States and Israel attacks on Iran, last February 28, the residential complex where the former leader and his heir were located was almost completely destroyed.

Various members of the regime's power structure and the Revolutionary Guards also died.

Jameneí's son, according to regime officials, is slightly wounded.

Without recording any video or audio message, the 56-year-old successor has allegedly given his first words to the Iranian people since his election last Sunday.

In reality, they were attributed to him and read by a news presenter on state television with his photo in the background next to the Iranian flag.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fanned speculation by asserting Jameneí is disfigured and that the regime is in chaos.

He questioned why Iran has not broadcast the voice or image of its new leader, remarking that there are many cameras and recorders in Iran and hinting that a written statement is revealing.

El País

He added that the leader is scared, injured, a fugitive and lacks legitimacy, claiming that the situation appears to be chaos with no clear person in charge.

Before the election announcement, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that no matter who was chosen, he would be eliminated by the Israeli Armed Forces.

“There is a mystery surrounding Mojtaba Jameneí's whereabouts, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Jameneí and elected as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic”

El País

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened that he would not accept Mojtaba Jameneí as the regime's successor and said he wanted to be involved in the selection.

The first information about Mojtaba Jameneí came from Israeli media, which indicated that the new leader had been slightly wounded in the legs, according to information from intelligence agents of his country.

The first official communication about Jameneí's whereabouts came to light last Wednesday. In addition to saying that he had been 'slightly wounded' in the bombings, the regime's leadership assured that he was 'active'.

El País

Earlier, regional media had weighed all kinds of scenarios about his health and alluded to the possibility that he was in a coma.

On the same day as the official confirmation that he was injured, the president's son and government adviser, Yousef Pezeshkián, also asserted in a message on his Telegram channel that the elected supreme leader was 'safe and sound'.

The most recent trace of Mojtaba Jameneí's existence has been the Thursday speech read on national television, with his photo in the background. In a defiant tone, he has called on the country to unity while confirming that he would continue attacking the American bases hosted by his neighbors.

He has demanded that these countries close them and clarify their position regarding the United States and Israel.

He also confirmed that his country has no interest in reversing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and that, therefore, it will continue to impede maritime traffic in this area through which a fifth of the world's oil transits.

Alex Vatanka argues that continuity with Jameneí's election strengthens the regime's image internationally and with its base of support, especially after the 2022 protests and the economic collapse.

“There is a mystery surrounding Mojtaba Jameneí's whereabouts, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Jameneí and elected as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic”

El País

Being seen as a wounded martyr in the same attack that killed his father adds symbolic weight, but the televised message may fuel doubts about the regime's fragility.

El País

Pete Hegseth's statements illustrate ongoing scrutiny of the regime's stability.