By Gloria Ogbonna
Iranian state television reportedly aired remarks this week in which President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed he held a lengthy, private meeting with the country’s newly declared “supreme leader,” Mojtaba Khamenei, a figure who has not been seen publicly since being named successor to his late father.
According to multiple media outlets, Pezeshkian described the conversation as warm, candid, and conducted in an atmosphere of “simplicity” and “mutual respect.” The reported meeting comes amid widespread speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health and authority following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed on February 28 during what U.S. officials described as “Operation Epic Fury.”
Absence Fuels Rumors
Since being proclaimed successor, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public, delivered a speech, or released verified audio or video messages. Iranian state media outlets have published written statements attributed to him, but those messages have been read aloud on television by presenters rather than delivered directly by Khamenei himself. The lack of visual confirmation has fueled speculation both inside and outside Iran about his physical condition and ability to govern.
Unconfirmed reports circulating online have suggested he may have been injured in the airstrike that killed his father, with some alleging hospitalization or severe wounds. Iranian authorities have dismissed such claims, insisting that the new supreme leader is in good health, though they have not explained his continued public absence.
The uncertainty has raised broader questions about the stability of Iran’s leadership structure following a period of intense military confrontation that reportedly killed several senior regime officials.
Pezeshkian’s Televised Claims
Despite the secrecy surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, President Pezeshkian told viewers during a televised appearance that he had recently spent nearly two and a half hours in direct conversation with the supreme leader.
According to reporting cited by the U.K. Times, Pezeshkian characterized the meeting as “direct” and “frank,” emphasizing what he described as Khamenei’s humility and cordial demeanor.
“What stood out to me more than any other topic in this meeting was the humble and deeply cordial manner, perspective, and approach of the supreme leader,” Pezeshkian reportedly said.
He added that he attended the meeting “with a spirit based on simplicity, humility, warmth and mutual respect,” saying the exchange was marked by closeness and trust.
However, no details were provided regarding when or where the meeting occurred. It remains unclear whether Mojtaba Khamenei is currently in Tehran. Pezeshkian, by contrast, has been seen publicly in the capital in recent weeks.
In April, Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were photographed walking through Tehran, shaking hands and taking selfies with residents in what observers described as a show of public confidence and unity.
Hardline Messaging Continues
On Thursday, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Pezeshkian visited the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade. During that appearance, his rhetoric struck a firm tone despite his reputation as a comparatively “moderate” figure within Iran’s political establishment.
IRNA paraphrased the president as warning against “raising unrealistic expectations” or compromising Iran’s “dignity and independence.” He described the regime’s refusal to enter into a peace agreement with the United States as a “difficult yet honorable path ahead for the Iranian nation.”
Mojtaba Khamenei’s most recent publicly released written statement, which surfaced in late April, similarly rejected negotiation with Washington. The statement referenced Iran’s strategic posture in the Strait of Hormuz and declared the beginning of a “new legal framework and management system” governing the vital waterway. It also envisioned a future regional order “free of America,” emphasizing solidarity among Persian Gulf nations.
Trump: “They Don’t Know Who Their Leader Is”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has openly questioned who is truly in charge in Tehran.
In late April, Trump wrote that Iran appeared to be struggling with internal divisions, claiming the regime was fractured between hardliners and so-called moderates.
“Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is! They just don’t know!” Trump stated publicly.
He later added that Iran’s leadership appeared “very disjointed,” suggesting multiple competing factions were attempting to influence negotiations while lacking unified direction.
Analysts note that under Ali Khamenei’s decades-long rule, authority was centralized in the office of the supreme leader, who maintained ultimate control over civilian leadership, the judiciary, and the military establishment — including the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Even during Ali Khamenei’s tenure, tensions occasionally surfaced. Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was once recorded criticizing the late IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani for allegedly overshadowing diplomatic efforts. When those remarks became public, Ali Khamenei intervened decisively, reinforcing his authority.
Uncertain Power Dynamics
With Mojtaba Khamenei’s public absence continuing, questions remain about whether he has consolidated similar authority or whether internal rivalries are shaping Iran’s policy decisions behind closed doors.
Pezeshkian’s televised account of a lengthy and cordial meeting appears aimed at projecting unity between the civilian government and the theocratic leadership. Yet without public appearances or direct confirmation from Mojtaba Khamenei himself, speculation about the true state of Iran’s leadership — and its implications for negotiations and regional security — is likely to persist.
Source Breitbart
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