WASHINGTON: United States intelligence agencies believe Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, played a key role in directing Tehran’s wartime strategy and negotiations with Washington despite remaining largely out of public view following injuries sustained during the conflict, according to a report by CNN.
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The report, citing sources familiar with US intelligence assessments, said uncertainty still surrounds the extent of Khamenei’s authority within Iran’s leadership structure after a series of attacks during the war killed several senior officials, including his father.
According to the report, US officials believe Khamenei continued communicating with Iran’s leadership through trusted couriers and face-to-face contacts while recovering from injuries that reportedly included burns and shrapnel wounds.
Iranian authorities, however, rejected speculation regarding his health condition. Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol in the office of the supreme leader, said on Friday that Khamenei’s health had improved and dismissed rumours about his condition.
The intelligence assessment also stated that although American strikes significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, they did not eliminate them entirely. Officials reportedly believe many Iranian missile launchers remain operational despite the damage caused during the conflict.
The report further said senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are currently overseeing much of the government’s day-to-day operations as diplomatic efforts with the administration of Donald Trump continue.
The developments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington aimed at preventing further escalation in the region.
