Iran’s newest Supreme Leader has refuted allegations of orchestrating assaults against a NATO member in his recent announcement. Mojtaba Khamenei conveyed a message on Friday coinciding with the commencement of the Persian New Year, designating it as the year of a “resilient economy under the umbrella of national unity and security.” This marked his third written communication since assuming power, where he disclaimed any involvement by Iran or its associates in recent attacks on Turkey and Oman, attributing such incidents to the “Zionist enemy” conducting deceptive actions to implicate Iran.
In a nine-page statement posted on Telegram, he stated, “The Zionist enemy is employing manipulative strategies to sow discord between the Islamic republic and its neighboring nations, a tactic that could be replicated in other regions.” Despite Iran’s military actions in the Middle East, Khamenei emphasized Iran’s unwavering commitment to enhancing relations with neighboring countries.
The 56-year-old Supreme Leader has not made any public appearances since assuming the position following the demise of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli-US airstrike on Tehran on February 28. While Iranian authorities mentioned Mojtaba sustaining minor injuries in the attack, US and Israeli sources have indicated severe injuries.
President Donald Trump expressed doubts about Mojtaba’s survival during a phone interview, urging him to act wisely for his country if he is alive. Reports emerged recently that Khamenei was in intensive care at Sina University Hospital in Tehran, prompting Iranian state media to announce his upcoming public address.
In his initial written statement on March 12, Khamenei called for the immediate closure of all US bases in the region, cautioning of potential attacks if this measure was not implemented. Additionally, he reiterated the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz to exert pressure on the US and Israel.
The Supreme Leader also empathized with individuals who have suffered losses, detailing his personal experiences of losing family members. He vowed to seek justice for all martyrs, emphasizing the importance of faith and patience in overcoming adversities.
In a subsequent statement on March 16, Khamenei instructed officials appointed by his father to carry on with their duties without requiring reappointment. His selection as the successor to his father was announced on March 8, despite his limited public presence and lack of official government roles in Iran.
Although Mojtaba has maintained a low profile, his affiliations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are well-documented. He was sanctioned by the US in 2019 for collaborating closely with IRGC entities to advance his father’s regional agendas.
Both Ali Khamenei and Ruhollah Khomeini, the Islamic Republic’s founder, criticized hereditary succession, particularly in light of the Pahlavi monarchy’s overthrow during the 1979 Islamic Revolution.