A new report out from The Daily Mail claims that the new “Supreme Leader” of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the prior “Supreme Leader” has been hit in a strike, losing a leg and falling into a coma.
See here:
Iran's new Supreme Leader is 'in a coma' and has lost a leg after being seriously injured in air strikes, a report has claimed. https://t.co/dmwXsGv4Sa pic.twitter.com/TD0nOLsJbD
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) March 12, 2026
Here is a portion of the report from the Daily Mail:
This is the moment a statement made on behalf of Iran’s new Supreme Leader was read out on state TV, amid rumours he is ‘in a coma’ and has lost a leg – or is even dead.
The written statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was read out by a news anchor on state TV this afternoon.
He himself did not appear on national TV. His absence will only fuel rumours that he is either too ill to record a reading of his statement or died in an airstrike.
The statement says that Iran would not refrain from avenging the ‘blood of its martyrs.’
The Iranian leader, who took over from his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following his assassination on February 28, added that while he believes in maintaining a friendship with Iran’s Gulf neighbours, attacks on US bases in the region will continue.
He said: ‘We are not an enemy of the countries around us, and we are only targeting the bases of those Americans.’
The newly declared Ayatollah’s statement added that Iran was seeking to improve relations with its neighbours: ‘We send a message to the leaders of the region and emphasise that we are going to have good relations with the countries around us.’
His declaration called for all American bases in the region to be immediately closed in his shared message: ‘The existence of the US bases in [Iran’s neighbours] and usage of those bases to attack Iran is not benefiting the region and they must be closed.’
He also said Iran will seek compensation from its enemies or destroy their assets accordingly, and offered financial compensation to those in Iran who have been hurt by the outbreak of violence: ‘A limited amount of this revenge has so far taken concrete form, but until it is fully achieved, this case will remain among our priorities.’
The Iranian leader hinted at Iran’s proxies in the region supporting his fight against the US and Israel, claiming that armed groups in Iraq ‘want to help’ his nation, while those in Yemen ‘will also do the job.’
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Here’s what I can definitely verify right now…
First, the son has not been seen in days.
They literally rolled a cardboard cutout of him out instead:
Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was presented at a mass rally in Tehran today.
He couldn’t show up in person for some reason, so they brought out a cardboard cutout of him instead pic.twitter.com/c6eARU405b
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 11, 2026
That is not satire, that is real.
They really thought that would work!
I can also confirm Sen. Fetterman is calling for him to be taken out if he’s not already dead:
Sen. John Fetterman calls on Israel to assassinate Iran’s new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei – while injured supreme leader has yet to be seen https://t.co/E9zCJZ8ITW pic.twitter.com/u1fTaWGIyq
— New York Post (@nypost) March 12, 2026
The NY Post added these details:
Khamenei has yet to appear publicly since the 88-member Assembly of Experts appointed him as Iran’s new supreme leader on Sunday.
He also missed a rally in Tehran marking his succession. Iranian officials have said he was injured during the initial wave of airstrikes by the US and Israel on Feb. 28.
“He hasn’t been able to produce a video or seen in public at all. Why?,” Fetterman asked. “Maybe they’re seriously injured. It could be even harder for him to sit down and do a video and have them put that out.
“Hopefully, he is significantly wounded. And if he does recover, I do absolutely support having Israel just eliminate him, along with any other members of the leadership.”
“I’m always going to support that,” the senator added.
Fetterman also said President Trump gave Iran the opportunity to negotiate an end to the war — which it declined — and “avoid all of these things.”
The Iranian president rejected Trump’s call for the country’s unconditional surrender Friday and later scoffed at the proposal as a “dream.”
Grok added this Fact-Check:
Breakdown of Reporting: March 12, 2026
The claims in the X post and linked Daily Mail article appear to be based on a mix of confirmed events and unverified rumors. Here is a breakdown based on the latest available reporting as of March 12, 2026:
Assassination of Ali Khamenei
Yes, this is confirmed. Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on February 28, 2026, during the opening wave of joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership compounds in Tehran. Iranian state media announced his death the following day, declaring a 40-day national mourning period. The strikes were part of a broader campaign aimed at regime change, with intelligence from the US CIA and Israeli Mossad pinpointing his location. Several family members and senior officials were also killed in the same attack.
Appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader
Yes, this is confirmed. Mojtaba Khamenei (Ali Khamenei’s second son, aged 56) was appointed as Iran’s third Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on March 8-9, 2026, following a unanimous or near-unanimous vote. Iranian state media announced the decision, emphasizing his ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and hardline factions.
ADVERTISEMENTHe has not appeared publicly since his appointment (which is not unusual for him, as he has historically avoided the spotlight), but state TV has aired his first written statement today, vowing continued resistance and threatening to escalate the war if US-Israeli attacks persist. US President Trump has rejected him as an unacceptable leader and demanded Iran’s surrender.
This is Mojtaba’s first appointment to the role—there are no reports of any prior designation as Supreme Leader (though he had been rumored as a potential successor for years due to his influence in security and clerical circles). The appointment has been viewed as a defiant signal of continuity amid the ongoing war, which has caused oil prices to surge and regional instability.
Injury Rumors (Coma and Amputated Leg)
Partially confirmed but heavily disputed—these claims are based on unverified sources and may be exaggerated or false. Mojtaba was indeed injured during the same February 28 airstrikes that killed his father, wife, one son, and other family members. Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus confirmed wounds to his legs, arms, and hands, suggesting he may be hospitalized. Israeli officials assess he is alive but wounded. Some reports describe minor injuries (e.g., fractured foot, bruised eye, facial lacerations).
However, more sensational claims of a coma and leg amputation stem from anonymous Iranian sources cited in outlets like The Sun and NY Post, often linked to opposition or exiled figures. These are unconfirmed and contradicted by Iranian state media, which has broadcast his statements and denied severe impairment. Wartime censorship, internet blackouts, and propaganda from all sides (including Iranian denials and Israeli assessments) make independent verification difficult. X posts and opposition reports amplify the coma/amputation rumors but lack evidence. Earlier reports (pre-appointment) noted he survived the strikes, countering initial death rumors.
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