Top Iranian official undergoes leg amputation after Israeli strike Updated

Ali Shamkhani, 69, advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has undergone a full amputation of his left leg following severe injuries sustained in recent Israeli strikes on Tehran.

On Monday (June 16), Shamkhani’s medical team stated that his condition had been “relatively stable” since yesterday after a series of intensive medical interventions in recent days, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

However, serious complications affecting his internal organs continue to pose a threat to his life.

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Ali Shamkhani, a senior Iranian official, has shown some improvement following injuries sustained in a recent explosion, according to the head of his medical team.

A spokesperson for the medical staff said that persistent efforts have brought a significant portion of his injuries under control, and that since yesterday, his condition has stabilised somewhat, Caliber.Az reports citing Iranian media.

However, due to the severe internal damage caused by the blast, doctors say it is too early to give a definitive prognosis. The treatment has made gradual progress over the past few days, but the situation remains serious.

Further updates on Shamkhani’s health are expected as medical teams continue their work.

Notably, on June 14, Iranian state television confirmed the death of Ali Shamkhani, a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes on June 13.

Shamkhani had been a prominent figure in Iran’s national security apparatus, serving as the country’s top national security official for a decade from 2013. He held several key positions within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defence.

Widely recognised in diplomatic circles across Washington and Europe, Shamkhani was regarded as a rising star in Iranian foreign policy.

Notably, he represented Tehran in the China-mediated negotiations with Saudi Arabia that culminated in a landmark agreement to restore diplomatic relations between the two longstanding rivals.

However, he was unexpectedly replaced from his advisory role in mid-2023. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev