US intelligence agencies believe Iran’s newly reported Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been playing a behind-the-scenes role in shaping Tehran’s wartime strategy and its evolving diplomatic approach with Washington, according to a CNN report citing officials familiar with classified assessments.
The report suggests that despite remaining largely out of public view following reported injuries during recent conflict-related strikes, Khamenei is still believed to be actively influencing key national security and negotiation decisions. His exact level of authority, however, remains uncertain as Iran’s internal power structure continues to shift after the deaths of several senior officials during the war, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
US intelligence sources reportedly assess that Mojtaba Khamenei has maintained contact with senior Iranian figures through trusted intermediaries and limited in-person communications while recovering from injuries, including burns and shrapnel wounds. Analysts say this indirect method of communication indicates continued, though constrained, influence over strategic decisions.
Iranian officials have rejected concerns over his condition, insisting that he is recovering and remains capable of performing leadership duties. Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol in the Supreme Leader’s office, said his health had improved and dismissed speculation about instability within the leadership.
The intelligence assessment also indicates that Iran’s military infrastructure, while damaged by recent US strikes, remains functional. Several missile systems are believed to still be operational, suggesting that Tehran retains significant retaliatory capability despite reported losses.
At the same time, the report highlights that day-to-day governance in Iran is increasingly being managed by senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and parliamentary officials, including Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as the country navigates both military pressure and diplomatic engagement with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration.
