Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has remained out of public view since the conflict with the US began following an airstrike that reportedly left him with severe facial burns requiring plastic surgery. The ongoing tensions between the US and Iran escalated in late February with joint strikes on Iranian targets by US-Israeli forces, prompting retaliatory actions from Iran, including disrupting the vital trade route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite sustaining significant injuries in the airstrike, Khamenei, aged 56, is reported to be mentally alert and actively involved, as confirmed by senior Iranian officials familiar with his condition. He has undergone multiple surgeries to address injuries, including burns on his face and lips, impairing his speech and necessitating future plastic surgery. Additionally, his leg has undergone three surgeries, with plans for a prosthetic limb, and his hand has also been operated on to restore movement.
Due to concerns about his safety, senior government officials avoid direct visits to Khamenei, fearing potential tracking by Israel. Messages to him are relayed through handwritten notes carried by trusted couriers along intricate routes to his undisclosed location. President Masoud Pezeshkian and the health minister are actively involved in his medical care.
Khamenei has delegated decision-making authority to his generals amid limited direct contact with Iranian leadership. His enduring relationships with military leaders, established during his service in the Iran-Iraq conflict, have solidified their influence, with various political factions engaging in discussions. Experts highlight Khamenei’s connections with the military as a key factor in their prevailing power dynamics.