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Tehran: A second round of conflict between Iran and the US has begun in the Gulf. Amidst this, the absence of the Supreme Leader was dampening Iran’s spirit of retaliation; the country did not want to send a message to its enemies that it was waging war without its Supreme Leader. Consequently, a message was issued in the name of Mojtaba (Mojtaba ) Khamenei, and he has now announced the date of his public appearance. The clear implication of this message is that Iran is fighting the war resolutely and will continue to give a befitting reply to its enemies; there is no cause for alarm. These messages are being issued to ensure there is no confusion—whether within Iran or among adversaries like the US and Israel—regarding Mojtaba.
When will Mojtaba appear? Has the date been announced?
Mojtaba has released a message stating that exactly 11 days from today—on July 23—he will attend a prayer and memorial gathering for his late father, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. It is worth noting that Mojtaba had been out of the public eye since February 28, following the assassination of his father, the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; now, after 134 days, he has finally set a date for his public appearance.
Mojtaba had previously confirmed his safety and, through a letter, appealed to the entire nation of Iran to follow the path of his father and of Allah. Mojtaba’s written statement was read out on Iranian state television on Saturday. By releasing a message from Mojtaba, Iran has conveyed to the US and Israel that it is Mojtaba who is waging this war—at least for the next 11 days, or until he appears at a condolence gathering in Tehran.
**Mojtaba Absent from Father’s Condolence Gathering**
Questions regarding Mojtaba began to arise when he failed to appear during the six-day-long final rites of Ayatollah Khamenei. The news of the Supreme Leader’s absence was psychologically demoralizing for the Iranian people. Even after the Ayatollah was laid to rest, there was an expectation that Mojtaba might attend the condolence gathering. Rumors circulated that he would participate in a gathering in Qom on Saturday, but those reports proved baseless, and Mojtaba did not show up.
**Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?**
Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28. It is reported that Mojtaba was present at the *Bait-e-Rahbari* (Leader’s headquarters) at the time but survived because he had stepped outside. Since that day, no one has seen Mojtaba or heard his voice; whenever a message from him arrives, it is in text format. Mojtaba sustained severe facial injuries and serious wounds to his limbs during the US-Israel attack. It is also said that his face is so badly disfigured that he might be unrecognizable if he were to appear in public. Intelligence agencies claim he is undergoing treatment at a secret location. Why is Mojtaba Khamenei not appearing in public?
The fact is that Iran’s Supreme Leader is on the hit lists of both Mossad and the CIA; Israel has even threatened to kill Mojtaba if he is spotted. The question arises: is Mojtaba staying out of the public eye due to threats of attacks from Mossad and the US? Where exactly is Mojtaba? If he is at a secret location, what could that location be?
Where is Mojtaba’s secret location?
Speculation regarding Mojtaba’s whereabouts emerged in May 2026, citing US intelligence agencies. According to reports, Mojtaba is hiding at an undisclosed location with minimal contact with the outside world. Messages reach him via a complex courier network, and he, in turn, sends his own messages out with extreme secrecy. The question remains: what is this secret location that neither the world’s most formidable intelligence agency, Mossad, nor the CIA has been able to pinpoint?
Is Mojtaba in Russia or North Korea?
In March, the Kuwaiti newspaper *Al-Jarida* claimed that Mojtaba was injured in the February 28 attack that resulted in Ali Khamenei’s death. Following the incident, Mojtaba was reportedly whisked away to Moscow on a Russian military aircraft. The report stated that he underwent successful leg surgery and was admitted to a private hospital in Moscow—specifically, a private facility near Putin’s residence. However, Iran dismissed these reports.
Given that North Korea is considered the safest place for him, could Mojtaba be hiding there? There is a reason behind this possibility: when the US and Israel attacked Iran, Kim Jong openly supported the latter and condemned the attack.
