Tehran Mayor Claims Mojtaba Khamenei Was Main Target of February 28 Attack

TEHRAN: Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani has claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei was the main target of the missile attack on February 28 that martyred Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mojtaba Khamenei was later appointed as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In an interview with the Student News Network, Zakani said the missile struck the exact building where Mojtaba Khamenei was staying, indicating that he was the intended target of the attack.

The Tehran mayor said Mojtaba Khamenei’s wife, Zahra Haddad, normally leaves home for work at around 7:30am local time. However, she remained at home on the day of the attack because she was unwell.

Zakani said Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the attack.

The claim concerns the February 28, 2025 missile strike that, according to Iranian accounts, was carried out jointly by the United States and Israel against the residence compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The attack reportedly killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family.