Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is little more than an “empty entity” who is not at the helm of the regime, according to Israeli national security sources.

The son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a targeted Israeli strike on Feb. 28, is also linked to what officials describe as a “misfunctioning” regime.

“The new leader is an empty entity,” Kobi Michael, a defense analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, told Fox News Digital.

TRUMP VOWS TO HIT IRAN ‘VERY HARD’ AFTER OBLITERATING NEARLY ’90 PERCENT’ OF REGIME MISSILES

“Mojtaba Khamenei does not appear in public, but we also have reliable information that he does not control or lead the regime or what has been left of the regime.

“The current Iranian leadership is broken, confused and is almost misfunctioning.”

Mojtaba reportedly escaped death by minutes when his father was killed Feb. 28, leaving the compound for a walk shortly before an Israeli missile strike, according to leaked audio accessed by The Telegraph.

The audio, reportedly from a March 12 meeting, revealed details about the strikes that also took out several members of the Khamenei family.

Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Khamenei’s office, is supposedly heard in the audio telling senior leaders that Mojtaba sustained “a minor injury to his leg.” 

Since being named supreme leader, Mojtaba has not made one public appearance. Instead, a message by him was read on Iranian state TV, warning of continued strikes and urging Gulf nations to shut down U.S. bases.

ISRAEL KILLS IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE MINISTER WHO SURVIVED INITIAL STRIKE, OFFICIAL SAYS

Other reports claimed Mojtaba was in critical condition or even in a coma, though Iranian officials have insisted that the new supreme leader is in good health.

Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge Wednesday after the killing of senior security official Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike.

“Such acts of terror only reflect the enemies’ hostility and will strengthen the resolve of the Islamic nation. Undoubtedly, justice will be served,” the statement said.

Larijani, one of Iran’s top security figures, was killed after Israeli intelligence reportedly located him and other officials on the outskirts of Tehran.

Other senior figures have also been killed in recent strikes, including Basij militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

“This is not a new phase, but a continuing effort and a very successful and impressive one and a crucial component of the strategy meant to weaken the Iranian regime,” Michael said of the continued strikes at regime figures.

“This is to the degree that it will not be able to reconstitute itself and/or to become again a severe threat and destabilizing player in the broader Middle East.”

US-SANCTIONED MOJTABA KHAMENEI NAMED IRAN’S NEXT SUPREME LEADER AFTER FATHER’S DEATH: REPORTS

After the opening U.S.-Israeli strikes, President Donald Trump told the Iranian people that their “moment of freedom” was at hand.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump said, suggesting the U.S. would help bring down the Iranian regime.

“At the very same time, by weakening the regime and paralyzing its capacities generally speaking and its domestic control specifically, the U.S. and Israel are facilitating the required conditions for the Iranian people to topple the regime,” Michael added.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“This is the ultimate victory in their eyes, and the route to this destination is that they are trying to increase any damage wherever they can.”

By&nbspAnka Kir

Published on
18/03/2026 – 23:25 GMT+1

The Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz, damaged by a series of explosions, has been drifting uncontrollably in the Mediterranean Sea for nearly two weeks, causing growing alarm among coastal states and environmental activists.

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT

Moscow claims that the vessel, which belongs to an authorised “shadow fleet”, was attacked by Ukrainian maritime drones. Kiev has not commented on these claims.

Aerial photos taken after the attack show a giant breach several dozen metres wide near the waterline. The scale of the destruction was so great that Libyan authorities mistakenly declared the ship a wreck on 4 March.

Hull damage and crew evacuation

The huge 277-metre tanker, its hull blackened by fire, lost control after explosions on 3 March, when 30 crew members – mostly Russian and Filipino nationals – were forced to abandon ship.

According to Russian reports, pops continue to be heard on board, gas emissions have been recorded, roll has increased, and localised fires have broken out in some compartments. At the time of the crew evacuation, 450 tonnes of fuel oil, 250 tonnes of diesel fuel and significant volumes of natural gas remained in the tanks, which significantly increases the risk of an emergency development up to explosion.

Environmental risks and Europe’s response

AFP footage taken on Sunday shows the vessel about 50 nautical miles southwest of Malta, with the tanker’s stern and sides visibly blackened by the fire.

Environmentalists have labelled the Arctic Metagaz a “floating time bomb” and warned that a leak or explosion could cause long-term damage to one of the Mediterranean’s most biodiversity-rich areas. Experts note that the damaged hull and ongoing internal processes make the situation unpredictable.

Leading environmental NGO WWF emphasised that possible contamination may have consequences for years to come.

European governments are also concerned about the situation: Italy, France and seven other EU countries have sent a joint appeal to the European Commission, warning of an “immediate and serious danger” to the region.

Legal uncertainty

The vessel is drifting between Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Linosa while remaining in international waters, complicating the question of who should take responsibility for intervening.

Rescue teams are already in Malta, ready for possible intervention if the ship approaches the country’s territorial waters. However, the question of who exactly should act remains a matter of diplomatic dispute.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow controls the situation as a flag state, but emphasised that international norms place responsibility for preventing environmental damage on coastal states.

While it is being discussed who exactly should take decisive action, the Arctic Metagaz continues its uncontrolled drift and the risk of a serious environmental incident remains high.