Is Mojtaba Khamenei wounded? Iranian media refers to new Supreme Leader as 'Jaanbaz of Ramadan'

Questions are swirling about the health and public absence of Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader after state television described him using a term that means 'wounded by the enemy.'

As Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei its new Supreme Leader, state television slipped in a curious detail calling him 'Jaanbaz of Ramadan,' a term that means "wounded by the enemy."

Iranian state television anchors, while reporting on Mojtaba Khamenei's ascension to the position of Supreme Leader, described him as "janbaz," or wounded by the enemy, in the "Ramadan war" the term used by Iranian media to refer to the ongoing conflict. No further elaboration was offered.


The reference has fuelled speculation about the 56-year-old cleric's physical condition, particularly given that Mojtaba has not been seen publicly since the war began.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the possibility of Mojtaba having sustained injuries during an airstrike cannot be ruled out.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei and how did he come to power?

Mojtaba Khamenei is a mid-ranking cleric with close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) who has never previously held an official government position. He is the second son of Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for 36 years. For decades, Mojtaba operated largely out of public view while building deep ties across the Islamic Republic's political and security apparatus.

His rise marks the formal emergence of a figure widely regarded as one of the most influential actors behind the scenes of Iran's ruling establishment.

Mojtaba received almost 85% of the votes cast at the Assembly of Experts session held in Qom on Sunday. The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body elected for eight-year terms, is constitutionally responsible for appointing and overseeing Iran's supreme leader.

His father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on February 28 in joint strikes by US and Israeli forces. Reports of Mojtaba's election as Supreme Leader emerged just over a week later, on March 8.

What does 'janbaz' mean and was Mojtaba injured?

It remains unclear whether state television's reference to Mojtaba's injury relates to the airstrike that killed his father on February 28, or to a separate incident. The nature of his injury has not been specified. Israeli security officials had earlier assessed that Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive after being targeted in an airstrike, but believed he had sustained injuries.

Earlier rumours that Mojtaba had been killed in the strikes were dismissed by Iranian authorities. He has made no public statement or appearance since hostilities began.

The appointment has drawn sharp international responses. US President Donald Trump dismissed Mojtaba as a "lightweight" and an "unacceptable choice," asserting that Iran's new leader "is not going to last long" without US approval.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz also issued a stark warning, stating that every leader appointed by the Iranian regime would be "an unequivocal target for elimination."

Despite the turbulence, the IRGC swiftly pledged allegiance to the new leader, and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Mojtaba on his selection, calling it a "wise and decisive" choice that would reinforce national unity.

Thousands gathered in Tehran's streets waving flags and chanting in support of the new leader even as questions about his health and whereabouts remain unanswered.