Alive, amputee, or a ghost? The mystery of Iran's new leader
While reports on his condition continue to contradict each other, the prolonged absence of Iran's leader from the public arena leaves the system in Tehran dependent on written statements and interpretations by senior officials.
The prolonged absence of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei from the public eye has created an unusual governing system in Tehran. Decisions are made and justified through written messages attributed to him, while practical responsibility is distributed among key figures in the security and political establishment. As assessed by Iran affairs analyst Ata Mohammad Tabrizi for "Iran International," in the absence of a public appearance or a clear and final statement, various figures in the regime interpret his intentions differently — and those holding the greatest military and institutional power are the ones dictating policy in practice.
Khamenei the son has been absent from key events since his appointment, including his wife's funeral and the ceremonies marking the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. His disappearance has given rise to conflicting reports: from claims that his health is fine, to rumors of severe injuries and even the loss of a limb. Senior officials and media outlets close to the government explain the lack of photos or audio recordings by citing unprecedented security arrangements.
Without the ability to assess his condition themselves, citizens are exposed to him mainly through written statements and intermediaries. A clear example of this occurred regarding the memorandum and negotiations with the United States: Mojtaba authorized President Masoud Pezeshkian to sign the agreement, but noted that "in principle" he had a different position. These two words sparked opposing interpretations; while the deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards for political affairs rejected the claim that the leader opposes the talks, a military advisor argued that it meant the leader's path was better than the one chosen.
At the same time, security branches are working to build his image as a commander during wartime, under the slogan "Khamenei has become young again." Ironically, it is foreign leaders who strengthen his status: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that Khamenei is alive, while US President Donald Trump described him as fully involved in the contacts. Thus, a situation has been created where the less Khamenei is seen, the more the Iranians' dependence on Revolutionary Guards commanders increases, such as Aerospace Force commander Majid Mousavi, who determine for themselves what the shadow leader's "intentions" are and navigate the country between war and diplomacy.
