Tehran, May 09 (V7N) — Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has remained out of public view for an extended period following serious injuries sustained during the ongoing conflict, but US intelligence agencies claim he continues to play a key role in shaping the country’s military and diplomatic strategy.

According to a report by CNN published on Saturday (May 9), US intelligence sources believe that despite uncertainty and fragmentation within Iran’s current leadership structure, Mojtaba Khamenei remains influential in major state decisions, including negotiations with the United States.

The report said he may still have significant influence over Iran’s positions regarding ceasefires and conflict resolution efforts.

Several senior Iranian military officials were reportedly killed during the early stages of the war, while Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously injured. Since then, he has not made any public appearance.

US intelligence agencies also claimed they have been unable to independently confirm his current location or exact physical condition, as he is reportedly avoiding all forms of electronic communication and maintaining only limited contact through direct meetings or intermediaries.

However, Iranian officials have rejected much of the information circulating in foreign media.

Mazaher Hosseini, chief of protocol at the Supreme Leader’s office, stated that Khamenei is in good health and recovering quickly from his injuries.

Meanwhile, Masoud Pezeshkian recently told Iranian state media that he had met Mojtaba Khamenei for two and a half hours. Analysts believe this may have been the first publicly acknowledged meeting between a senior Iranian official and the Supreme Leader since the outbreak of the war.

END/SMA/AJ