Amid speculations surrounding his health and rumors of his alleged death, US intelligence agencies have confirmed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is alive and is actively shaping Tehran’s war strategy as well as negotiation plans with top Iranian leadership.
Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?
According to a CNN report citing US intelligence assessments, Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as a central figure who is actively directing Iran’s negotiation strategy with the United States, though it claimed that authority inside Iran’s top leadership remains fragmented after the war and the deaths of several senior military commanders.
While US intelligence agencies have been unable to visually confirm the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, the CNN report, citing an intelligence source, said the secrecy surrounding his condition and communications has created an atmosphere resembling “Wizard of Oz meets Weekend at Bernie’s”.
As per the report, Khamenei is avoiding electronic communications entirely and is instead relying on trusted couriers and face-to-face meetings to relay commands.
The 51-year-old leader is reportedly in a highly-secure location where he is receiving medical treatment for serious injuries, including burns affecting one side of his body, including parts of his face, arm, torso, and leg.
What Iran says about Supreme Leader’s condition?
Notably, Iran has downplayed, and even at times refuted reports about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health condition. On Friday, Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol in the office of Iran’s supreme leader, asserted that Khamenei is recovering well and is “in complete health”.
Speaking to supporters in Iran, Hosseini acknowledged that Khamenei suffered injuries to his foot and lower back and said “a small piece of shrapnel had hit him behind the ear” but insisted the wounds were healing.
“Thank God, he is in good health. The enemy is spreading all kinds of rumours and false claims. They want to see him and find him, but people should be patient and not rush. He will speak to you when the time is right,” he said.
Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that he had a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei, marking the first face-to-face meeting between a top Iranian official and the new Supreme Leader.
The report comes as Iran and the US continue to adhere to a fragile truce despite multiple skirmishes since the ceasefire came into effect last month, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
Why Mojtaba Khamenei death rumors resurfaced?
Last month, speculations about Mojtaba Khamenei’s death resurfaced after his portrait appeared on a mural depicting top figures killed in the US-Israeli strikes, including his father and former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The artwork, which was unveiled at a public event attended by top Iranian officials in Mashhad on Saturday, depicted a portrait of Mojtaba Khamenei alongside his father, Ali Khamenei, and other senior leaders killed in US-Israeli attacks.
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Iranian authorities or the state media have not responded to speculations raised by the depiction of Mojtaba Khamenei on the mural.
The reports come amid speculations about the whereabouts and health of Mojtaba Khamenei, as he has not appeared in public since the February 28 strike, and his subsequent election as Iran’s new Supreme Leader on March 8.
Trump says awaiting Iran’s response on peace proposal
Meanwhile, on Friday (local time), US President Donald Trump said that his administration is expecting a response from Iran later in the day regarding Washington’s proposal aimed at ending the ongoing West Asia conflict. “We’ll hear from them supposedly tonight,” Trump told reporters before travelling to a dinner at his golf course in Sterling, Virginia.
Asked whether he believed Iran was intentionally delaying the process, Trump said he was uncertain, adding, “We’ll find out soon enough.”
As per the CNN report, the US intelligence community assesses that Iran is still recovering from the US bombing campaign but retains significant military capability and could withstand months of blockade pressure if necessary.
