New Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei survived strike that killed his father because of a split-second decision, audio claims

Iran’s new supreme leader survived the Israeli strike that killed his father because he stepped outside the compound for a walk in the garden minutes before the blast, according to a new report.

Leaked audio from a meeting about the Feb. 28 strike on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound revealed that his son, the new supreme leader Mojtaba Kahamenei, was with his father in Tehran when he stepped out “to do something,” The Telegraph reported.

As soon as Mojtaba was away from his father, Israel’s space-faring Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles hit the compound, killing Khamenei and dozens of his senior officers and family members — but sparing his successor.

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei survived the Israeli strike on his father’s compound be cause he went for a walk in a garden, according to leaked audio. ISNA/AFP via Getty Images

A satellite image showing smoke rising from the site of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound after an Israeli airstrike in Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, 2026. via REUTERS

“God’s will was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return,” Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Khamenei’s office, reportedly told Iranian leaders in a private meeting on March 12.

“He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms Haddad, was martyred instantly,” Hosseini added.