Iran’s Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, injured in a US-Israel joint strike, is awaiting a prosthetic leg and plastic surgery, according to a report. The New York Times reported that one of his legs was operated on three times, and he is now awaiting a prosthetic. He also underwent surgery on one hand and is slowly regaining function, while his face and lips have been severely burned.
“Though Mr Khamenei was gravely wounded, he is mentally sharp and engaged, according to four senior Iranian officials familiar with his health. One leg was operated on three times, and he is awaiting a prosthetic. He had surgery on one hand and is slowly regaining function. His face and lips have been burned severely, making it difficult for him to speak, the officials said, adding that, eventually, he will need plastic surgery,” NYT reported.
Khamenei has been in hiding since American and Israeli forces bombed his father’s compound on February 28. He is being cared for by President Masoud Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon, along with the health minister, the report said.
Khamenei has not made any public appearances or recorded video or audio messages, but has issued several written statements. According to the report, these are relayed through a trusted network of couriers traveling by car and motorcycle to reach his hideout.
“Messages to him are handwritten, sealed in envelopes and relayed via a human chain from one trusted courier to the next, who travel on highways and back roads, in cars and on motorcycles until they reach his hide-out. His guidance on issues snakes back the same way,” as per NYT report.
Middle East War
These developments have unfolded amid a fragile ceasefire, and both sides are considering resuming negotiations.
Notably, the US-Israel-Iran conflict continues to simmer under the shadow of a tenuous and long-standing ceasefire. This conflict began on February 28, when Washington and Tel Aviv launched a sudden, joint strike against Iran. This attack resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as well as several high-ranking government officials.
Iran retaliated with equal intensity, targeting US bases in the Gulf region and blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which more than 20 percent of the world’s daily oil supply passes.
US-Israel-Iran War Ceasefire
Following a conflict that spanned nearly six weeks and 39 days of active combat, Trump announced a ceasefire and proposed negotiations with Iran; this led to an agreement on a two-week provisional ceasefire around April 7-8.
The first round of peace talks, held in Islamabad on April 11-12, failed to yield any concrete results; Trump stated that Iran had refused to agree to dismantle its nuclear program.
