Mojtaba Khamenei, the de facto supreme leader of Iran, has not made a single public appearance or broadcasted a verified live message since taking power following an American-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, Ali Khamenei. According to Reuters and regional intelligence assessments cited by former Mossad officials, the 56-year-old leader sustained severe facial disfigurement and leg trauma during the strike, leaving his actual physical capacity to govern in deep question as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) assumes operational control.
The Disappearance of Mojtaba Khamenei and the Rise of the “Carton Leader”
Since assuming authority under emergency conditions, Mojtaba Khamenei has entirely bypassed traditional public engagements. He skipped his father’s funeral on July 4, citing security considerations, and broke a 30-year national tradition by failing to deliver a live New Year address for Nowruz. According to a former Mossad official now with the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), missing a parent’s funeral in Shiite tradition and Iranian culture signals physical incapacitation rather than mere caution. State media instead broadcasted a written statement read by a news anchor alongside a static photo, fueling widespread public skepticism.
This prolonged absence has spawned viral internet phenomena, including artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes and the moniker “Carton Leader,” after rumors circulated that a life-sized cardboard cutout substituted for him during a regime-backed rally. According to the Saudi-backed channel Al-Hadad, official statements released in his name are drafted by IRGC Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi and senior generals. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeškian defended the administration in a July 21 video, claiming interaction with the supreme leader is steadily improving.
Did you know?
According to regional intelligence sources, if Mojtaba is alive, he reportedly communicates using handwritten notes passed through a strict chain of couriers—a security protocol compared by analysts to the methods used by Osama bin Laden.
IRGC Secures Absolute Power Amid Regime Factionalism
Real political, military, and economic authority in Iran has shifted decisively toward the IRGC. Beyond operating as a conventional military force, the Corps functions as an entrenched industrial, financial, and intelligence empire controlling regional proxy networks. A former Mossad official noted that the state is effectively run by a security junta comprising IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi, Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and other key generals, while traditional clerics are steadily marginalized.
However, fractures are visible within the ruling apparatus. According to Iran International journalist Negar Mojtahedi, a distinct split exists between the hardline security faction led by the IRGC and the diplomatic-governmental wing represented by President Pezeškian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The Three Working Theories on Mojtaba’s Whereabouts
International intelligence monitors and regional analysts generally track three distinct hypotheses regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s status:
- Severely Injured in Iran: The official line maintained by state figures like President Pezeškian asserts that he is recovering in a secure underground bunker—ranging from Tehran tunnels to a facility near the holy city of Qom—and directing policy despite his injuries.
- Exiled Abroad: A secondary hypothesis suggests he may have fled to Russia, drawing comparisons to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s residence in Moscow’s Rublyovka district.
- Comatose or Incapacitated: Outlets like Al-Hadad report he remains entirely non-functional, with IRGC generals manufacturing all governance decisions and public communications in his absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mojtaba Khamenei officially the Supreme Leader of Iran?
Yes, he assumed the position under emergency circumstances following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, but has governed entirely through proxies and written statements.
Why has Mojtaba Khamenei not made any public appearances?
According to regional intelligence sources and international reporting, he reportedly sustained severe facial and leg injuries during the initial American-Israeli airstrike and remains isolated in an underground secure location.
Who is actually running Iran right now?
According to regional analysts and security experts, effective governance has shifted to a military junta led by IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi and top security officials.
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