Mistake in Tehran? The painting fueling speculation about the death of Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei
A viral mural depicting the Islamic Republic's new religious leader alongside dead Iranian leaders has fueled speculation that he was killed or seriously injured in the February 28 attacks on Tehran.
The mural was named “Martyrs of the Epic Struggle” PHOTO Video capture X
The mural, unveiled in Mashhad Ardehal, west of Kashan, and titled “Martyrs of the Epic Battle”features several deceased high-ranking Iranian military and political leaders, including Qassem Soleimani, former president Ebrahim Raisi and Islamic Republic founder Ruhollah Khomeini, according to Euronews.
Images of the mural quickly spread on social media, raising questions about the fate of the new supreme leader and the son of former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in the February 28 US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Iranian authorities have not commented on the situation.
Source X / Emily Schrade @emilykschrader
This was not the only incident interpreted as a miscommunication by the Tehran regime in recent days. The Tasnim news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), recently referred to Khamenei as “the martyred leader of the revolution”. Iranian officials later claimed it was a mistake.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in any video or audio recordings since the attacks that hit his father's residence at the start of the conflict. It is noteworthy that when the succession was announced, a cardboard dummy was presented to the public in his place, and his first address to the nation was read on state television about two weeks after his appointment.
What is known so far about Mojtaba's condition
Several international media outlets, citing Iranian officials, reported that Mojtaba Khamenei suffered serious injuries in the February 28 attack, but that he remained conscious and involved in the decision-making process.
According to the same sources, he would have undergone several surgeries on his arms and legs and would have difficulty speaking due to severe burns on his face and lips.
Other unconfirmed information claims that he would have undergone cosmetic surgery to repair the injuries, and that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian — a doctor by profession — would have supervised his recovery. Euronews could not independently verify these claims.
Ali Nikzad, the deputy speaker of Iran's parliament, fueled further uncertainty in a recent televised appearance when he referred to what he called Khamenei's “first instruction” on the Strait of Hormuz, without mentioning any other subsequent decision.
Both former US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have previously suggested Khamenei may have been injured and disfigured.
Videos purported to be of him have also circulated online, but some have been labeled by users as AI-generated, further raising doubts about his real condition.
