Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged that it is currently “very difficult” to communicate with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of public view since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the latter’s death.
Pezeshkian’s remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz was likely to reopen within the next day or two.
Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly injured in the strikes that killed his father, the country’s longest-serving Supreme Leader. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the new Supreme Leader is in “bad shape.”
“It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us so that we can continue,” Pezeshkian said.
Although Mojtaba Khamenei has continued to issue written statements, his prolonged absence from public appearances during Iran’s conflict with the United States has fuelled speculation about his health and his relationship with senior officials. He also did not attend his father’s funeral ceremonies last month, further intensifying public speculation.
Despite the rumours, Pezeshkian defended the Supreme Leader, describing their meetings as constructive and saying he had always been received with “kindness and very sound logic.”
“Unfortunately, the current situation allows some malicious people to describe him differently and to present a different image of him,” the president said.
However, reports continue to suggest tensions between Pezeshkian and Mojtaba Khamenei. According to recent claims, the Supreme Leader has issued what has been described as a “final ultimatum,” warning that any future resignation submitted by the president would be accepted.
