Leaked Audio Details Near-Miss as Iran's New Supreme Leader Survives Israeli Missile Strike

A leaked audio recording has revealed a chilling near-miss in the aftermath of an Israeli missile strike on February 28, which killed Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei and his close associates. The account, delivered by Mazaher Hosseini—head of protocol for the Iranian regime—details how Mojtaba Khamenei, now Iran's new supreme leader, narrowly avoided death when he stepped outside to take a brief walk in the garden of his family compound in Tehran. This momentary absence from the building where Ali Khamenei was meeting with senior officials proved to be the difference between life and death for Mojtaba.

The audio describes how three missiles struck the complex, targeting multiple locations simultaneously. The residence on an upper floor occupied by Mojtaba, his wife, and son was among those hit. His wife, Ms Haddad, was killed instantly, while his brother-in-law suffered a decapitation so severe that only 'a few kilos of flesh' remained to identify him. Mohammad Shirazi, chief of Khamenei's military bureau, was reportedly 'blown to pieces,' according to Hosseini—a detail suggesting the missiles' immense destructive power.

Mojtaba himself sustained a minor injury to his leg during the attack but survived with no greater harm than that. Hosseini emphasized in the audio that Mojtaba had been outside for an unspecified reason when the missiles struck, adding that 'God's will was that he had to go out.' This act of stepping into the garden—perhaps to tend to plants or clear a path—became his salvation.

The attack on Khamenei's compound came amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The building housed not only Ali Khamenei but also a religious hall where he delivered speeches, as well as homes for other family members. Multiple residences within the complex were targeted in what Hosseini described as an effort to 'scupper succession planning.' He claimed that Mohammad Shirazi had been a key figure with access to sensitive military information.

International reactions have since varied widely. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested Mojtaba Khamenei is 'wounded and likely disfigured,' while CBS News reported that former President Donald Trump has expressed doubts about the intelligence on Mojtaba's condition, even questioning whether he might be dead. Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh insists the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was 'healthy' and 'in charge,' despite speculation about Mojtaba's fitness to lead.

The attack has also raised questions about the future of Iranian leadership. Reports suggest that Ali Khamenei had privately doubted his son's capability, citing concerns over Mojtaba's personal life and intelligence on succession planning. Trump reportedly told Fox News that Mojtaba 'is not somebody that the father even wanted,' a sentiment that adds to uncertainty around Iran's stability.

In response to these events, Iran has escalated hostilities in the region. Fresh drone strikes have targeted Gulf States including the UAE, temporarily closing Dubai International Airport—the world's busiest—after an oil tank was hit nearby. Over 1,200 missiles and drones have been fired at the UAE alone, marking it as one of the most heavily attacked countries in the conflict.

Israel has also taken steps to disrupt Iranian coordination with its allies. The IDF announced that a plane used by Ali Khamenei at Mehrabad Airport was destroyed overnight. This aircraft had reportedly served senior Iranian officials and military figures for domestic and international travel, further complicating Iran's strategic operations.

As the region teeters on the edge of deeper conflict, the leaked audio underscores both the fragility of leadership in Tehran and the human cost of a war that shows no signs of abating. The survival of Mojtaba Khamenei—whether by divine will or sheer luck—now places him at the center of an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.