The New York Times published a detailed report outlining the current condition of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating that he had been gravely injured and was now operating from hiding, with limited ability to communicate. The report also mentioned his face and lips being burned severely and needing plastic surgery in the future.
Four senior Iranian officials told the outlet, “Though Mr. Khamenei was gravely wounded, he is mentally sharp and engaged.”
However, the physical damage is said to be extensive. One of his legs was “operated on three times” and he is currently awaiting a prosthetic. The report added that “his face and lips have been burned severely, making it difficult for him to speak.” and said he would eventually need plastic surgery.
Since being appointed as the new Supreme Leader after his father’s assassination, Khamenei has not made any public appearance or broadcast message. The report said this was a conscious decision to not “appear vulnerable or sound weak” at a critical moment.
Communication is reportedly being carried out discreetly, “Messages to him are handwritten, sealed in envelopes and relayed via a human chain in cars and on motorcycles until they reach his hide-out.”
As per the report, senior officials are also keeping their distance, fearing that Israel might “trace them to him and kill him”.
Decision-making shifts to the military
With access to the Supreme Leader restricted, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has become the prime decision-making force on matters of war, diplomacy, and national security.
Abdolreza Davari, former adviser to ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said, “Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board. The generals are the board members. They collectively make all the decisions.”
Analysts opine that there is a clear shift from a highly centralised system under his father’s regime to a system where the initiative lies with military commanders with Khamenei still signing off on important decisions.
