Iran: Where is Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei? Anxiety Mounts Among Iranian Negotiators…

New Delhi: On one hand, Iran is engaged in negotiations with the United States to end the ongoing conflict; on the other, the country’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has gone missing. More than two months have passed since the war began, yet he has neither appeared before the public nor issued any video or audio messages.

According to U.S. and Iranian officials, Mojtaba Khamenei was critically injured in an airstrike that took place on February 28. He has not been seen in public since that incident. Amidst the ongoing talks with the U.S., Mojtaba’s “disappearance” is raising questions about the stability of the regime. A report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) notes that large posters of Mojtaba Khamenei have been put up across the streets of Iran. Furthermore, messages are continuously being posted from his account on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). However, it is alleged that these images—including his profile picture—were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Arash Azizi, a historian at Yale University, observes that Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence is causing deep unease among his hardline supporters. They are now questioning the legitimacy of the ongoing peace negotiations. These supporters fear that, in Mojtaba’s absence, Iranian officials are making excessive concessions to the United States.

Mojtaba Khamenei’s Silence Fuels Suspense

Mojtaba Khamenei’s prolonged silence has also created internal rifts within the Iranian government. Hardline factions are targeting moderate leaders—such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf—accusing them of capitulating to the United States. Supporters have taken to social media to demand that Mojtaba release at least a voice message to reassure the public that he is alive and that he supports the ongoing negotiations. It is worth noting that in Iran, the Supreme Leader holds the ultimate authority to make final decisions. In the 1980s, Ayatollah Khomeini described the decision to end the war as akin to “drinking from a poisoned chalice.” Ali Khamenei, too, had personally approved the 2015 nuclear deal. However, the complete lack of any reaction from Mojtaba has only served to heighten public suspicion.

Facing mounting questions regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence, the Iranian government has finally broken its silence. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that he recently held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Mojtaba Khamenei. In doing so, he sought to clarify that Mojtaba is indeed alive and remains actively involved in making key national decisions.

According to Saeed Golkar, an expert on Iranian security forces, Pezeshkian is attempting to convince both the public and the opposition that Mojtaba is keeping a low profile solely for security reasons, as he currently sits at the very top of Israel’s “kill list.”

Injuries Revealed for the First Time

Late Friday night, a senior Iranian official disclosed details regarding Mojtaba’s injuries for the first time. The official acknowledged that Mojtaba had sustained injuries to his spine and knee during an airstrike. However, his condition is now reported to be improving. Mazhar Hosseini, a senior official within the Supreme Leader’s office, stated in a video message: “The enemy is attempting—under various pretexts—to obtain an audio or video recording of him for the purpose of malicious manipulation. When the appropriate time comes, he will address you all personally.”
Is Mojtaba Truly Capable?
Despite official statements to the contrary, ordinary citizens and experts in Tehran remain unconvinced. While the President acknowledged that a meeting took place, he failed to disclose when or where it occurred. Posts originating from Mojtaba’s ‘X’ account frequently speak of the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ and exacting revenge on foreign powers, yet they offer no concrete guidance regarding current negotiations.

Alex Vatanka, an expert at the Middle East Institute, observes that many supporters are content simply seeing posters of Mojtaba Khamenei; for them, these posters represent not the individual himself, but rather the ‘Islamic Republic’ as a symbol. However, as a nation, Iran currently requires a leader capable of stepping forward and making decisive choices. Mojtaba’s enigmatic absence looms like a dark cloud over both Iran’s future and the ongoing peace negotiations.