Rumors grow in Iran about critical condition of Mojtaba Khamenei

Rumors are spreading in Iran about the critical condition of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since early March. According to Iran Wire, sources close to President Pezeshkian say the leader has not held personal meetings since the strike on February 28. His activity is limited to written statements. Pezeshkian acknowledged that communication is difficult but claims Khamenei participates in state processes, having approved a deal with Islamabad with the support of 12 of 13 council members.

In Iran, rumors are intensifying about the poor health of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since taking office in early March. According to Iran Wire, citing informed sources in the circle of President Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of state and his government members have not held a single personal meeting with Khamenei since the American strike on the leadership residence in Iran on February 28, which killed the previous leader, Ali Khamenei. All of Khamenei's activity has been limited to rare written statements through state news agencies. Sources assess his physical condition as extremely serious; one interlocutor noted that "news of his death would not come as a surprise" to the political elite in Tehran. Iranian authorities have refrained from commenting. President Pezeshkian admitted that direct communication with the supreme leader is "very difficult" but stated that Khamenei continues to participate in key state processes. On national television, Pezeshkian revealed details of the coordination of the agreement with Islamabad: the leader initially opposed it but agreed to approve it with the support of at least three-quarters of the members of the Supreme National Security Council; ultimately, 12 of 13 participants supported the decision. Pezeshkian also called on opponents to stop speculating about the leader's health, accusing them of trying to stoke internal conflicts.