"He is in good health. The enemy spreads all kinds of rumors and misinformation. They want to find his whereabouts, but the people need to be patient and not rush. The Leader will speak when the time is right," Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol at the office of Iran's Supreme Leader, said on 8/5.
Hosseini added that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei sustained minor injuries to his leg and lower back, and was hit by shrapnel behind his ear. "The wounds are healing; he is fully recovered," the Iranian official stated.
CNN, citing unnamed US officials on the same day, reported that the country's intelligence community has not yet been able to determine his location. One reason is that Leader Khamenei does not use electronic devices for communication, only meeting directly with authorized individuals and sending messages through assistants.
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Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Photo: Tasnim |
Despite his injuries, Khamenei continues to play a significant role in shaping conflict strategy with senior Iranian officials.
However, a source indicated signs that Iran's Supreme Leader is not extensively involved in decision-making. Senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf currently manage most daily operations.
Mojtaba Khamenei was injured on 28/2 during an airstrike that initiated the US-Israel campaign. The Iranian Leader has not appeared publicly since assuming office, and his written statements are read on state television.
The Supreme Leader's absence has fueled much speculation about his health and actual role within Iran's new power structure.
This also poses difficulties for President Donald Trump's administration, as US officials are unclear who truly holds the authority to negotiate an end to the conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted on 7/5 that Iran's power system "remains severely divided and inefficient," thereby hindering negotiation progress.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on 7/5 that he met with Leader Khamenei for two and a half hours. This was the first time President Pezeshkian met Iran's Supreme Leader since Khamenei assumed office on 8/3, and also the first time a senior Iranian government official directly discussed matters with the Supreme Leader.
By Thanh Danh (According to CNN)
