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Where Is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran Leader ‘Alive But Not In Control’ As CIA, Mossad Hunt Continues
Where Is Mojtaba Khamenei? Iran Leader ‘Alive But Not In Control’ As CIA, Mossad Hunt Continues
As the Iran war enters its fourth week, questions have risen over the disappearance of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Recent assessments from Israeli and US officials suggest he is alive but may not be firmly in control of Iran’s leadership. Two sources told The Jerusalem Post that real power appears to rest with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps currently.
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One source said the Guards may be controlling him, rather than the other way around, adding that clarity could emerge soon.
Mojtaba became Supreme Leader on March 9 after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. Since then, he has not appeared in public. His March 12 statement and his Nowruz message on March 20 were both delivered through state media, raising further questions about his condition and whereabouts.
Officials in both countries believe Mojtaba is wounded but alive. While he may still be involved in decisions, his authority appears limited compared to his father’s centralised control. Agencies including the CIA and Mossad monitored Nowruz closely, expecting a public address. Instead, only a written message appeared, deepening uncertainty.
Mojtaba has remained largely unseen, even as Israel has reportedly placed him high on its target list. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed he was wounded and possibly disfigured in the strike that killed his father.
Despite this, intelligence suggests he is alive, including attempts by Iranian officials to arrange in-person meetings that were reportedly unsuccessful due to security concerns.
The question of leadership has featured in briefings to Donald Trump. Officials say it remains unclear who is giving orders in Tehran. A senior Israeli official said there is no proof Mojtaba is leading, while a US official called the situation “beyond weird".
Security chief Ali Larijani was seen as Iran’s de facto leader until his reported assassination. His death is believed to have widened a power vacuum now filled largely by the IRGC. Israeli officials say top Iranian leaders are operating in hiding, moving between safe houses and avoiding digital communication.
Mojtaba’s Telegram channel released a written Nowruz message calling for unity, along with photos. US officials are trying to verify if those images are recent.
They noted that President Masoud Pezeshkian released a video message despite threats, making Mojtaba’s absence more striking.
Raz Zimmt of the Institute for National Security Studies said there is no clear evidence Mojtaba is not functioning. He added that injuries and security risks could explain his absence from public view.
In a classified briefing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Defence Intelligence Agency chief James Adams said Iran faces a serious command crisis, though there is no sign of immediate collapse. Officials say it is too early to judge whether the regime can survive.
Israel has said weakening Iran’s leadership is part of its war aims. Some believe rising external pressure could increase internal strain on the regime. However, critics warn that removing senior figures may bring more hardline leaders to the fore.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would continue fighting despite losing top leaders. He said the system does not depend on one individual, noting that it continued even after the Supreme Leader was killed. Iranian state media says 1,270 people have died since the war began on February 28. Iran has also targeted US bases in the region.
Tehran later shut the Strait of Hormuz, warning ships against passing through it. The disruption threatens global energy supplies, as the route carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Source: News18
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