Secretive rule of wounded Mojtaba

Hidden and sidelined? 

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and mentally sharp but remains largely sidelined due to grave injuries, a report by The New York Times reveals. Khamenei, who assumed power following the killing of his father, is currently operating from an undisclosed location with limited communication capabilities.

The extent of his physical injuries is significant. He is awaiting a prosthetic leg after three surgeries and has undergone an operation on one hand. 

Most notably, severe burns to his face and lips have made speaking difficult, and he is expected to require plastic surgery. To avoid projecting weakness, Khamenei has refrained from making any public appearances or broadcasts.

Governance is currently managed through a secretive “human chain”. Handwritten, sealed messages are transported by cars and motorcycles to reach his hideout, with responses returning via the same method. This level of isolation is compounded by the fact senior government officials refuse to visit him. 

They reportedly fear Israeli intelligence could trace their movements to his location, leading to an assassination. 

Consequently, while Khamenei remains conscious and engaged in leadership duties, his physical state and the necessity for extreme secrecy have fundamentally altered how power is exercised in Iran.