The Israel Defence Forces has announced that it destroyed an aircraft said to belong to the late Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, amid fresh reports that his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is receiving medical treatment in Russia following injuries sustained during recent military strikes.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Monday, the Israeli military said the aircraft was destroyed at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.
According to the IDF, the aircraft had been used by the Iranian leadership for official travel and coordination with allied groups across the region.
“The destruction of this plane damages the Iranian regime’s leadership coordination capabilities with its allies, the process of strengthening military capabilities, and its ability to rebuild,” the Israeli military said in the post.
The development comes amid reports that Mojtaba Khamenei, who allegedly assumed leadership after his father’s reported assassination on February 28, suffered serious injuries during a joint military operation by the United States and Israel.
Some media reports claim the cleric was secretly transported to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft to receive urgent medical treatment. According to the reports, the move was carried out discreetly due to security concerns in Iran.
The Kuwaiti outlet Al-Jarida reported that the 56-year-old cleric underwent surgery at a location linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin after arriving in Russia.
However, the report has not been independently confirmed.
Sources cited by the outlet claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured early during a military campaign referred to as Operation Epic Fury, which targeted Iranian facilities and leadership structures.
Other unverified accounts circulating online suggested the cleric may have sustained severe injuries and was initially receiving treatment at Sina University Hospital before being transferred abroad.
Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth told reporters on Friday that intelligence assessments indicate Mojtaba Khamenei had been wounded.
“We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said during a press briefing.
Despite the circulating claims, there has been no official confirmation from Iranian authorities regarding the reported death of Ali Khamenei or the health status of his son.
The situation has added to growing uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership amid heightened tensions in the region.
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