Tehran: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that reaching the country’s religious leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “very difficult” at present, amid heightened tensions and intense speculation in Iranian and international media.
According to the report, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel attack, after which his son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the new religious leader. However, he has not appeared in public so far and did not attend his father’s funeral. Only statements issued in his name have been circulating.
Unconfirmed reports have also suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been killed or seriously injured, though Iran has not confirmed these claims. Separately, Iranian media have carried reports of a rift between Mojtaba Khamenei and President Pezeshkian, including claims about deadlines being set on decisions related to the ongoing conflict and negotiations.
In an interview with an international media outlet, Pezeshkian said Mojtaba Khamenei has been playing an important role in Iran’s response actions, but that contacting him is difficult in the current situation. He added that Khamenei’s support had been a source of strength, and alleged that “ill-intentioned” people are trying to portray him differently and create a distorted image.
