In the aftermath of the strike that killed Iran's Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, said to be injured, has remained largely out of public view. A new report has now claimed that Mojtaba is said to be managing state affairs with the help of a group of senior generals, effectively operating through a collective decision-making structure.
The Iranian leader has been in hiding since the February 28 strikes. Although he survived with injuries, his wife and son were also killed in the bombing. Currently, access to him is limited, with only doctors and medical staff treating his injuries, The New York Times reported.
"Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board. He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions. The generals are the board members," said Abdolreza Davari, a politician who was a top aide to former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with ties to Mojtaba Khamenei, according to the report.
Also Read:Who's Really In Charge? Iran's Revolutionary Guard Blocks Govt, Seals Off Khamenei
Senior Iranian military and political leaders have ceased visiting Mojtaba to prevent Israeli tracking and potential strikes. His treatment is currently being overseen by the health minister and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is himself a heart surgeon. The report says that even though the Supreme Leader is "gravely wounded", he is mentally sharp and engaged.
One of his legs has been operated on thrice, and he will be using a prosthetic for it. His arm has also undergone surgery and is gradually regaining function. His face and lips have been severely burnt, which makes it difficult for him to speak. Officials have said that he might even need plastic surgery.
Moreover, Mojtaba has not issued a statement verbally because he does not want to appear vulnerable or "sound weak", which is why he only issues written statements, the report stated.
The decision-making has been delegated to the generals in his absence, and Iran's power structure is currently being steered by the Revolutionary Guards, who hold sway across multiple centres of authority. The force is led by Ahmad Vahidi, while Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a former hardline commander, now heads the Supreme National Security Council. The report states that "ultra-hard-liners" are still participants in political discussions, and the influence of clerics is diminishing.
Another key figure, Yahya Rahim Safavi, continues to wield influence, as he served as a senior adviser to both father and son supreme leaders.
Meanwhile, the elected government has been pushed to the sidelines. The president and his cabinet have largely been tasked with maintaining internal stability, ensuring consistent supplies of essentials like food and fuel, and keeping day-to-day governance running smoothly, officials familiar with the situation told NYT.
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