Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly confirmed a recent meeting with Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as questions continue to grow over the leader’s health and whereabouts following deadly US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.
According to Iran’s judiciary-linked Mizan news agency, President Pezeshkian described the meeting as “humble and deeply cordial.” The statement marks one of the first official acknowledgements suggesting Mojtaba Khamenei remains active behind the scenes despite staying out of public view.
Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly not appeared publicly since taking over leadership after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a major US-Israeli strike on February 28. Reports claim several members of the Khamenei family were also killed in the attack.
International media reports say Mojtaba Khamenei suffered severe injuries during the strike, including multiple leg operations, hand surgery, and major burns to his face and lips. Sources cited by The New York Times claimed he still faces difficulty speaking and may require future plastic surgery, though officials reportedly insist he remains mentally sharp.
Iranian state television last week aired a written statement attributed to Khamenei, but no video or audio appearance has yet been released. Reports suggest the Iranian leadership fears that public appearances could expose signs of weakness during heightened regional tensions.
Sources also claim Khamenei has temporarily delegated parts of Iran’s decision-making authority to senior military generals while remaining in a secure undisclosed location due to security concerns and ongoing medical recovery.