Hours before Iran's new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei shared his first message, UK media reported he is in a coma

Just hours before Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, delivered his first official address, a section of the western media claimed that he is in a coma and lost one leg. The Sun, which first reported it, quoting a source in Tehran, and the UK media, which amplified it, said that it had gained information from the hospital where he is reportedly being treated after being injured in an airstrike. However, soon after, Iran released an audio message by the Ayatollah in which he talked about the attack by the US and Israel, the Minab school massacre, the Gulf countries under attack and the death of his family members.

Also Read: 'Strait of Hormuz closure should be continued as a tool to pressure enemy': Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement

What did Mojtaba Khamenei say in his first message?

On Thursday, Mojtaba said Iran will not hesitate to take revenge for the crimes committed by the enemy, especially the Minab school massacre, which killed 168 girls. He told Gulf countries to close the American bases, saying they will otherwise be compelled to continue targeting the American bases there. Khamenei said they had only targeted those bases without attacking those countries. He urged them to determine their position regarding the "aggressors and the killers of our people." He said, "We have borders with 15 countries, and we have always desired and still desire to establish constructive relations with them."

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What did Western media claim about his health?

The Sun reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was in a coma and had also lost a leg in an airstrike. It quoted a source as saying that the Ayatollah is in a critical condition and has also suffered serious stomach or liver damage. It is unclear whether he sustained the injuries in the same strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, on February 28. The outlet had its source pass on the information on Mojtaba's condition from Tehran to an exiled dissident based in London. He said that the new Supreme Leader is in intensive care at the Sina University Hospital, and a section of the building has been sealed off with huge security present at the scene. The source, who was not named due to security reasons, said he knew people in the hospital’s trauma team who told him that Mojtaba was "very serious." He named the doctor looking after him as Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi, who is Iran's top trauma surgeon and also the Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education.

“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well," the source told The Sun. Zafarghandi is one of the Iranian regime's one of most trusted doctors. The Sun conceded that because of the internet blackout in Iran, it is not possible to verify the account. Notably, the Iranian state TV had earlier referred to Mojtaba as “Jaanbaz of Ramadan” – a wounded war veteran. Rumours have been doing the rounds that Iran is being run by a "Ghost Ayatollah".

Iran debunked reports of critical injury

Reports also claim that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the Sina Hospital two days ago. Mojtaba was named the new Ayatollah just five days ago, but has never been heard from. He has been silent on the war, and there have been rumours that he could already be dead. Just yesterday (Wednesday, March 11), Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, said that Mojtaba was “safe and sound”.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.