Fresh questions surrounding the internal stability and succession of Iran’s leadership have surfaced following a report by the Saudi news network Al-Hadath. Citing Israeli security sources, the report claims that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is no longer residing within Iranian territory.
The development follows weeks of intense geopolitical escalation in the region after Mojtaba succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes on February 28.
Absentee Leadership and Written Mandates
Since assuming the supreme office, Mojtaba Khamenei has notably not made a single public or televised appearance, communicating with the nation exclusively through issued written statements and audio transcripts.
- Threats Against Washington: Just hours prior to the Saudi report, Iranian state television broadcasted a written warning attributed to Khamenei, promising to teach the U.S. “unforgettable lessons” if full-scale warfare resumes.
- Islamabad Accord Violation: The statement accused Washington of betraying the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, claiming that “the signature of the U.S. President carries no value.”
Allegations of an IRGC Power Grab
The Israeli intelligence source cited by Al-Hadath alleges that the written statements issued under Mojtaba Khamenei’s name are not actually authored by him. Instead, the source claims they are being drafted by the newly appointed head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Ahmad Vahidi, alongside a tight circle of senior military commanders.
| Key Allegations in the Report | Details |
| Location of Supreme Leader | Claimed to have fled Iran; operating outside national borders. |
| Actual Source of Statements | Authored by IRGC Chief Ahmad Vahidi and senior military officials. |
| Internal Power Struggles | Deep friction among political and military factions threatening the stability of the IRGC. |
| U.S.–Israel Dynamic | Reports suggest Washington prefers keeping Israel out of direct follow-up strikes to prevent wider regional entanglement. |
Official Silence and Unverified Status
If true, the absence of the Supreme Leader signals a massive power vacuum or structural breakdown within Tehran’s ruling elite. However, none of these claims have been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation or formal denial from Iranian state officials, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the Israeli government.
