Khamenei unconscious, says Report
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly unconscious and receiving urgent medical treatment in the city of Qom, according to a diplomatic memo obtained by the British daily, The Times. The development raises serious questions about who is effectively running the country as tensions escalate with the United States and Israel.
The memo, based on US and Israeli intelligence assessments, describes the 56-year-old cleric as being in a “severe” condition and “unable to be involved in any decision-making by the regime.” It marks the first time Khamenei’s location has been publicly disclosed, placing him in Qom, Iran’s religious heartland. Intelligence agencies had reportedly known his whereabouts for some time but had not previously revealed it.
Iran has acknowledged that Khamenei was wounded in an airstrike on February 28 that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, along with several close family members. Officials maintain that the supreme leader remains “in charge” of the country, despite his absence from public view since the outbreak of the war. No verified video or audio of him has emerged; only written statements read on state television and a recently released AI-generated clip have been circulated.
The lack of direct communication has fueled speculation that Khamenei may be incapacitated. Opposition groups allege he is in a coma, while other unverified reports suggest serious injuries, including fractures and facial wounds. The uncertainty has intensified questions about Iran’s chain of command, where the supreme leader traditionally holds ultimate political and religious authority.
The situation has also sparked debate over the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with some observers suggesting the military may be running day-to-day operations, potentially reducing Khamenei to a symbolic figurehead. US President Donald Trump appeared to reinforce this perception, stating that negotiations were ongoing with other Iranian officials rather than the supreme leader himself.
Meanwhile, preparations are reportedly underway in Qom for the burial of Ali Khamenei. Intelligence indicates plans for a large mausoleum capable of holding multiple graves. The delay in his funeral, unusual in Shia tradition which mandates swift burial, has added to speculation, particularly as Wednesday marks 40 days since his death-the formal end of the mourning period.
The unfolding developments in Qom underscore growing uncertainty within Iran’s leadership at a critical time, as the country navigates both internal instability and an escalating international crisis.
