Iran Confirms New Supreme Leader Marginally Injured; Reviews U.S. War-End Proposal

Iranian officials have for the first time publicly described the health of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he is in complete health after sustaining marginal injuries in the opening strikes of the war with the United States and Israel. The chief of protocol for the supreme leader’s office, Mazaher Hosseini, told a crowd in Tehran on Friday that Khamenei was hit by a small piece of shrapnel behind the ear and suffered minor wounds to his foot and lower back.

Hosseini rejected reports of serious injury, stating the enemy is spreading rumors and that the leader will address the public when the time is right. U.S. intelligence sources told CNN that Khamenei, 56, was badly disfigured with burns to his face, arm, torso and one leg, and lost a leg in the strikes that began the conflict and killed his father, Ali Khamenei.

The new supreme leader has not been seen or heard publicly since taking power in March, with state media reading written statements attributed to him on only three occasions. Despite the absence, multiple sources familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said Khamenei is directing Iran’s negotiations with the U.S. from an unknown hideout and remains mentally sharp.

He communicates only through face-to-face meetings with senior leaders or via courier messages, avoiding electronic devices that could reveal his location. Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials are handling day-to-day operations inside Tehran even as Khamenei shapes broader war strategy and decisions on ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Pezeshkian said Thursday that he held a meeting with Khamenei lasting more than two hours at an undisclosed location. Pezeshkian described the encounter as his first in-person meeting with the supreme leader since the latter assumed power. “What struck me most during this meeting was the vision and the humble and sincere approach of the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution,” Pezeshkian said, according to Iranian state media.

The president added that the leader’s conduct offered a model of responsibility and listening to the people. The disclosure comes as Iran’s leadership reviews a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war. Both the president and supreme leader are examining the proposal, according to reporting by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

Leo, in an address marking his first anniversary as head of the Catholic Church, asked God to inspire world leaders to calm global tensions and reduce hatred. The pontiff spoke one day after meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State at the Vatican. The meeting between the Secretary of State and Pope Leo was described as very cordial despite differences between the White House and the Vatican over the Iran war.

officials. The Iranian government maintains that Khamenei is in good physical condition and undergoing only routine medical monitoring. Regional media summarized the official position as showing no indication of serious deterioration in his condition.

“A small piece of shrapnel had hit him behind the ear... He is now in complete health.”

U.S. intelligence continues to assess Khamenei’s role as central to shaping strategy even while senior military officials manage daily affairs. No confirmed location for the supreme leader has been made public, and reports of internal splits between military and civilian leadership remain unverified.