Six months into war, Iran’s unseen supreme leader fuels doubts
Why it matters: Questions over Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition come as Iran weighs key war decisions and its economy remains under severe strain.
Six months after U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and pushed his son Mojtaba Khamenei into Iran’s top post, the new supreme leader has not appeared publicly in any photo, video or audio message. Iranian officials and senior sources cited by The Straits Times say he still directs major decisions from the shadows while recovering from severe wounds and staying hidden for security reasons. But the absence has fed public skepticism, including among some hardline supporters, as Iran faces crucial choices in a war that has battered its economy and destabilized the region. NPR reported the regime remains entrenched despite heavy military losses, with Tehran still able to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and strike regional targets.