Fresh doubts have emerged over Mojtaba Khamenei’s existence after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed that he hasn’t met him since he became the new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28.

While speaking to Iran’s Mehr news agency on Sunday, July 19, Araghchi said only a few people have met Mojtaba Khamenei since he took office as Iran’s new top leader. “Only a very small number of people have met with him,” Araghchi said.

Iran FM says security lapse remains unresolved

Araghchi’s remarks come days after he said the security breach that made former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s assassination possible has not yet been fully addressed. The Iranian foreign minister told Al Arabiya that the strike on Khamenei’s residence on the day the war began was made possible as those behind it had detailed knowledge of his daily schedule and the timing of high-stakes government meetings.

“They knew that the Leader (Ali Khamenei) was in the office every morning. As I understand it, the command center meeting was also being held two or three buildings away, and they chose exactly that moment. The Intelligence Ministry’s meeting was also taking place at that time,” Araghchi said.

According to him, the attack succeeded due to a security lapse that remains unresolved. “Therefore, the attack on the Leader’s office happened because of a security vulnerability, and that vulnerability probably still exists,” he said.

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Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei has remained out of public view since the beginning of the war involving the United States and Israel on February 28, the day when former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes at his residence. His prolonged absence for months has triggered fresh doubts over when he will make his first public appearance after assuming the country’s highest office.

According to a report by i24NEWS English, Mojtaba Khamenei is likely to remain out of public sight for the duration of the war with the US. The report comes as the two countries continue exchanging missile and drone strikes.

Mojtaba Khamenei has also reportedly been recovering from critical injuries sustained in an airstrike. He did not attend his father’s funeral ceremonies, which were held earlier in July in Iran and Iraq, where prayers were led by his three brothers.

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“His son is 90% gone”: Trump on Mojtaba Khamenei

Last week, US President Donald Trump claimed Iran had lost its navy, air force and defence systems, along with several senior military commanders, during the war. “They have no navy. They have no air force. It’s all gone. Their anti-aircraft is gone. Their leaders have all been killed,” Trump told Fox News.

During the interview, Trump also claimed Iran had lost its top leadership during the conflict. “Their best leaders have been killed. They’re gone. Khomeini is gone,” he said, apparently referring to former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Referring to Mojtaba Khamenei, the American President said, “His son is 90% gone.”

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