Iranian media refers to new leader Mojtaba Khamenei as 'wounded', sparks buzz amid ongoing US-Israel airstrikes

• Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran's Supreme Leader after father's death
• State media calls Mojtaba "Jaanbaz of Ramadan," implying injury
• Iranian sources suggest Mojtaba may have been wounded in conflict

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Iran’s state media has referred to the country’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as being wounded in the ongoing conflict, describing him as a “Jaanbaz of Ramadan” — a term that translates to an injured war veteran.

The use of the phrase "jaanbaz" triggered speculations that Mojtaba, who has taken charge after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel strike, may have also sustained injuries during the ongoing conflict.

Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that Mojtaba may also have suffered injuries during an airstrike, saying that the possibility cannot be ruled out.

On Monday, Iran's state TV referred to Mojtaba as "Jaanbaz of Ramadan", meaning an "injured war veteran", according to reports.

"As Iranian state television reports on the ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader, it refers to him as being wounded in the war. The anchors read reports describing him as 'janbaz', or wounded by the enemy, in the 'Ramadan war', which is how media in Iran refer to the current conflict. It does not elaborate," a report in The Times of Israel said.

The reference raised eyebrows as Mojtaba Khamenei has just taken over as Iran’s top authority following the death of his father.

Earlier too, there were rumours that Mojtaba may have been eliminated in the airstrikes but those were quickly dismissed by Iran.

Mojtaba's father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the joint strikes by US-Israel on February 28. Reports of Mojtaba being elected as the Supreme Leader came just over a week later, on March 8.

The decision was taken by Iran’s Assembly of Experts after days of deliberation.

The clerical body responsible for appointing the country's supreme leader confirmed the decision in a formal statement, declaring, "By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts elected Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Born in 1969 in Mashhad, Mojtaba Khamenei is the second son of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader for nearly four decades.

He has assumed leadership at a time of heightened regional tensions and political uncertainty.

Thousands gathered in Tehran to rally behind the new leader on Monday under a banner bearing the portrait of slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the words "your path will continue".

Mojtaba is regarded as close to conservatives, notably because of his ties with the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which swiftly pledged allegiance to the new leader.

(With inputs from agencies)