Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly unconscious and undergoing treatment for a severe medical condition in Qom, according to an intelligence assessment cited by The Times.
The report raises serious questions about leadership stability in Iran amid the ongoing war.
A diplomatic memo based on US and Israeli intelligence, shared with Gulf allies, states that Mojtaba Khamenei is in a “severe” condition and unable to take part in decision-making.
“Mojtaba Khamenei is being treated in Qom in a severe condition, unable to be involved in any decision making by the regime,” the memo reads.
The report marks the first time his location has been publicly disclosed since the war began, when he was believed to have been wounded in the initial strikes on February 28.
First confirmed location revealed
According to the report, Khamenei is being treated in the central Iranian city of Qom, located about 140 kilometres (87 miles) south of Tehran. Qom is considered the religious capital of Iran and holds deep significance in the Shia sect of Islam.
Intelligence agencies are believed to have known about his location for some time, but the details had not previously been made public.
Also Read: Nationwide mourning events announced on 40th day of Khamenei’s martyrdom
Iran has confirmed that Khamenei was wounded in the same US-Israeli airstrikes that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, at the start of the war. The strikes also killed his wife Zahra Haddad-Adel, and one of his sons, according to the report. His mother was also reported to be killed, but later media reports suggested she was alive.
Despite being appointed supreme leader in early March, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the conflict began.
Burial preparations
The intelligence memo also reveals that preparations are underway in Qom for the burial of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Reports indicate that groundwork has begun for constructing a large mausoleum, possibly designed to hold multiple graves.
The document suggests that additional members of the Khamenei family — and potentially Mojtaba himself — could be buried alongside the late leader.
Conflicting reports on health
Since the war erupted, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained absent from public view, with only two statements attributed to him aired on Iranian state television. An AI-generated video released recently showed him entering a war room and analyzing a map of Israel’s Dimona nuclear facility.
Also Read: Iran’s Supreme Leader says assassinations won’t weaken forces
While Iranian officials maintain that he remains “in charge,” earlier reports have pointed to serious health concerns. US reports have suggested he may be in a coma, while other accounts claim he suffered a broken leg and facial injuries.
So far, neither Washington nor Tehran has officially commented on the latest intelligence claims.
US issues ultimatum amid rising tensions
The report comes as US President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding a deal before Tuesday at 8pm ET. Calling it a “critical period,” Trump said the US had granted Iran extra time to reach an agreement to end the war.
“They have till tomorrow… After that, they are going to have no bridges. They are going to have no power plants. Stone ages,” Trump warned.
He added that while Iran had been stronger at the beginning of the conflict, it has now been “decapitated,” and suggested such actions should have been taken decades ago.
Also Read: Iran rejects ceasefire, demands permanent end to war
The reported incapacitation of Iran’s supreme leader adds a new layer of uncertainty to an already volatile conflict.
With no public appearances, conflicting reports about his health, and no official confirmation from Tehran, questions continue to mount over who is effectively governing the country during this critical period.
.jpg)
