Israeli national security officials are casting doubt on the authority of Iran’s newly installed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing him as largely symbolic and lacking real control over a regime they say is increasingly unstable.

Mojtaba, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28, has been elevated to the top position but is viewed by analysts as presiding over a weakened and disorganized leadership structure.

“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.

“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.”

Reports indicate that Mojtaba narrowly avoided being killed in the same strike that claimed his father’s life, having stepped out of the compound shortly before the missile hit. Details of the incident emerged from leaked audio said to be from a March 12 internal meeting, first reported by The Telegraph.

The recording allegedly includes remarks from Mazaher Hosseini, who serves as head of protocol in Khamenei’s office, informing senior officials that Mojtaba suffered “a minor injury to his leg” during the incident.

Since assuming leadership, Mojtaba has yet to appear publicly. Instead, a statement attributed to him was broadcast on Iranian state television, warning of continued attacks and calling on Gulf states to shut down American military bases in the region.

Conflicting reports have circulated regarding his condition, with some suggesting he was critically injured or even in a coma, while Iranian officials have insisted he remains in good health.

Mojtaba Khamenei vowed retaliation Wednesday following the killing of senior Iranian 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, considered one of Iran’s top security figures, was reportedly targeted and killed after Israeli intelligence tracked his location near Tehran.

Additional senior figures have also been eliminated in recent operations, including Basij militia leader Gholamreza Soleimani, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

“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.”

Following the initial wave of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian public, signaling support for potential internal change.

“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.

“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.”

{Matzav.com}