Overview
- A new Mashhad mural that places Mojtaba Khamenei beside deceased revolutionary figures has renewed public questions about his status, according to video cited by Israel National News.
- The New York Times reported on April 23 that he suffered severe injuries in the February strike, including multiple leg surgeries with a prosthetic pending, hand surgery, and facial burns that make speaking hard, though officials said he can still make decisions.
- No verified audio or video of the new leader has surfaced, with statements attributed to him posted online or read on state television in place of public appearances.
- Reports describe a low‑tech courier network that carries handwritten, sealed notes to an undisclosed location, and senior officials are said to avoid in‑person visits to prevent tracking of his whereabouts.
- Analysts and several outlets say day‑to‑day control has shifted to senior officials and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders—often described as a de facto board that includes figures such as Ahmad Vahidi, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and Yahya Rahim Safavi—after the February 28 strike killed Ali Khamenei and the Assembly of Experts declared Mojtaba his successor on March 8.