Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death by just seconds after taking stroll in garden

Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death by just seconds after taking stroll in garden
WATCH: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's bunker blown up in Israeli jet strike |

GB NEWS

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 16/03/2026

- 20:12

The new Supreme Leader headed 'out to the yard to do something' as the strikes hit his father's complex

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death by mere seconds after going outside as his home was struck by missiles.

The Ayatollah, who is believed to have been wounded in the US-Israeli air strikes that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stepped outside "to do something" just moments before ballistic missiles hit his home at around 9.32am local time on February 28.


In audio obtained by The Telegraph, Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Khamenei’s office, can be heard giving an address to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and provides the first real glimpse into how narrowly the Supreme Leader survived.

Along with his father, Mojtaba Khamenei's wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel, and son, Bagher Khamenei, were "instantly" killed, while the blasts cut his brother-in-law's "head in half".

The Supreme Leader, who was living in the same compound as his father in Tehran, suffered an injury to his leg, according to the leaked audio.

At the time of the strikes, Ali Khamenei was in a meeting along with senior security officials.

Mohammad Pakpour, the IRGC chief, and Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s defence minister, were killed alongside the former Ayatollah.

Mohammad Shirazi, chief of Khamenei’s military bureau, was also "blown to pieces," Hosseini told the meeting, held on March 12.

Just "a few kilos of flesh" was left to identify him, the leaked audio added.

Mojtaba Khamenei

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death by mere seconds after going outside as his home was struck by missiles

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GETTY

"This dear man had information on all military personnel," Hosseini said. "The enemy knew that, while hitting the Supreme Leader, hit him too because they knew he would replace those who had been killed, and when new [commanders] were introduced, they could get a chance to [influence] the rioters and infiltrators and do something."

As for Mojtaba Khamenei, his brief but bordering miraculous venture outside left him only with "a minor injury to his leg".

This is despite Iranian officials reportedly saying they have "no news" regarding the Supreme Leader's current condition and the extent of his injuries.

In the recording, Hosseini can be heard saying: "God's will was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return.

Aerial footage shows plumes of black smoke rising from Ali Khamenei's compound after it was struck on February 28

Aerial footage shows plumes of black smoke rising from Ali Khamenei's compound after it was struck on February 28

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REUTERS

"He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms Haddad, was martyred instantly."

The head of protocol said the strikes targeted many locations within the complex, such as Mojtaba's home on the upper floor, along with the residence below belonging to his brother-in-law, Misbah al-Huda Bagheri, Kani and the home of his brother, Mostafa, and his wife.

"The missile was so powerful that it went downstairs, where Mr Misbah was, it went to Mr Misbah’s room. The missiles were struck in a way that cut his head in half," Hosseini said.

Mostafa Khameni was in a separate area of the complex with his wife when the strikes hit, leaving the pair "unharmed".

With the war having entered its third week, there remains growing questions over Mojtaba's health and ability to lead.

Ali Khamenei reportedly had doubts over his son succeeding him, considering him "not very bright" and "unqualified to be leader," according to CBS News.

Donald Trump also said on Friday: "Their leadership is gone. Their second leadership is gone. Now their third leadership is in trouble, and this is not somebody that the father even wanted."

The Supreme Leader has not been seen since the start of the war, nor in the 18 days since he was announced as his father's successor.

His first address as the Ayatollah came last week through a written statement read out on television. President Trump, along with others, has speculated he could be injured more seriously than has been revealed so far.

One Iranian told the BBC following his first national address: "I don't even think it was his message," while another said: "It was surprising that he did not issue even a voice memo and raised doubts about his condition."

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