Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who was wounded during a US attack at the beginning of the war, plays a key role in shaping military strategy despite not appearing in public. This was reported by CNN, citing sources, according to UNN.
Details
US intelligence assesses that Iran's new Supreme Leader plays a decisive role in shaping military strategy alongside senior Iranian officials. Reports indicate that his exact powers within the currently fractured regime remain unclear, but Mojtaba Khamenei is likely helping Iran manage negotiations with the US to end the war,
Khamenei has not appeared in public since sustaining serious injuries in the attack that killed his father and several of the country's top military leaders at the start of the war, leading to speculation about his health and role in the Iranian leadership structure.
The Trump administration continues to seek a diplomatic end to the conflict as the ceasefire has held for over a month, and US intelligence assesses that Iran continues to dig out from US bombings that left significant Iranian military capability intact, as well as the ability to survive months of a US blockade.
Khamenei was announced as Iran's new Supreme Leader to replace his father days after the strike that wounded him, but to date, the US intelligence community has been unable to visually confirm his whereabouts.
One source added that the uncertainty is partly due to the fact that Khamenei does not use any electronics for communication, interacting only with those who can visit him in person or by sending messages via courier.
Sources added that Khamenei remains in isolation as he continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries, including severe burns on one side of his body affecting his face, arm, torso, and leg.
According to knowledgeable sources, what US officials know about Khamenei's condition is based on information obtained from individuals who communicate with him. While intelligence assessments indicate that Khamenei is involved in developing Iran's negotiation strategy to end the war, one source said there is evidence that he is quite detached from the decision-making process and his involvement is only episodic.
As a reminder
A senior Pakistani government official familiar with the progress of the negotiations stated that Iran currently lacks a single center of decision-making.