Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran. (March 2, 2016)
US intelligence still doesn’t know where Mojtaba Khamenei is: CBS News
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US intelligence indicates that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is effectively hiding in an undisclosed location with severely restricted access to the outside world.
According to officials familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News, communication with the leader relies on a complex network of couriers designed to obscure his whereabouts.
This arrangement stems from heightened security concerns following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-‘Israeli’ airstrike on February 28, 2026, during the early stages of the conflict.
Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, reportedly sustained significant injuries in the same attack, including severe facial disfigurement and leg wounds, from which he continues to recover.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader in March 2026, selected by senior clerics in the Assembly of Experts.
Since his appointment, he has made no public appearances, relying instead on written statements and audio messages disseminated through state media.
Reports suggest he participates in high-level decision-making primarily through secure audio conferencing and intermediary channels.
The use of couriers has complicated internal governance and international negotiations.
Iranian officials engaged with the US administration on potential ceasefire or agreement proposals have encountered delays in obtaining responses, as messages must navigate this indirect system.
US and ‘Israeli’ intelligence operations have significantly degraded Iran's senior leadership during the conflict.
Many officials now operate from fortified bunkers, minimizing direct interactions to avoid further targeted strikes. This environment has fostered operational challenges within the Iranian government structure.
Despite his seclusion, Mojtaba Khamenei has issued directives on key matters, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and responses to regional developments.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that the new leader appears alive but operates with diminished authority compared to his predecessor.
