Two days after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran came into effect, Iranians are growing concerned over the well-being of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, as he hasn't made a public appearance in almost two weeks.
Questions about Khamenei were asked during a widely viewed broadcast on Iranian state television, where the host asked Mehdi Fazaeli, head of Khamenei’s office, what many Iranians had been wondering.
“People are very worried about the supreme leader,” the host remarked, noting a flood of viewer messages asking the same thing. However, Fazaeli did not provide a clear answer. Instead, he shared that even officials had been inquiring about the leader's condition, especially following the recent military strikes by Israel and the United States.
“We should all be praying,” Fazaeli said, offering reassurance. “The people who are responsible for protecting the supreme leader are doing their job well. God willing, our people can celebrate victory next to their leader.”
Khamenei, who has the ultimate authority over all major decisions in Iran, has not been seen publicly or heard from in nearly a week. His absence comes amid an unprecedented war, with Israel and the US attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, Iran retaliating by firing missiles at a US base in Qatar, and the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel coming into effect Tuesday morning.
Despite these significant developments, Khamenei has remained silent, fueling widespread speculation about his well-being and Iran’s leadership direction during this crisis.
Khamenei sheltering in a bunker, avoiding electronic communication
Khamenei’s absence is believed to be due to his sheltering in a bunker and avoiding electronic communication to prevent assassination attempts, the New York Times noted. His silence has unsettled both political insiders and the general public.
Mohsen Khalifeh, editor-in-chief of Khaneman, a daily newspaper in Tehran, voiced his concern, saying, “Khamenei’s days-long absence has made all of us who love him very worried.” Khalifeh acknowledged the possibility of an unprecedented event, adding, “If Khamenei were dead, his funeral procession would be ‘the most glorious and historic.’”
As for Khamenei’s health, experts continue to express concern. Sanam Vakil, director for the Middle East and North Africa at Chatham House, noted that the supreme leader’s prolonged absence signals heightened caution among Iran’s security forces.
“If we don’t see Khamenei by Ashura,” she said, referring to a significant religious event for Shiite Muslims in early July, “that is a bad sign. He has to show his face.”
The supreme leader’s role in Iran is crucial—he makes the final decision on all major matters, including military actions like the recent missile strikes and ceasefire negotiations. With Khamenei absent, senior officials have been reluctant to confirm whether they have been in direct contact with him.
Political analysts, including Hamzeh Safavi, the son of a prominent Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander, have pointed out that Iranian security officials believe Israel may still attempt to assassinate Khamenei, even amid the ceasefire, the report noted.
As a result, extreme security measures are being enforced, limiting contact with the outside world. “There is a pragmatic view taking hold for managing the country out of this crisis,” Safavi said, highlighting the increasing prominence of figures like President Masoud Pezeshkian in running the country.
Pezeshkian, who campaigned on a platform of increased openness and engagement with the West, has signaled a shift toward moderation. In a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, he emphasized that Iran’s national unity, fostered by the recent war, presented a unique opportunity for change.
However, Pezeshkian’s moderate stance faces opposition from hard-liners like Saeed Jalili, a former chief negotiator and influential figure in Iran’s conservative camp. Jalili and his allies in parliament have criticized Pezeshkian’s calls for negotiations with the US, especially after the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Foad Izadi, a political analyst close to Jalili, took to social media to suggest that Pezeshkian’s discussions of diplomacy indicate a lack of political competence.
The divide between these factions has led to a political struggle in Khamenei’s absence, with some backing Pezeshkian’s diplomatic approach and others advocating for a more aggressive stance, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization, have both reaffirmed the country’s intent to rebuild and revive its nuclear program, continuing uranium enrichment despite recent setbacks.