Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is isolated and not responding to messages as the war with Israel and the U.S. rages on, according to a new report.
The Washington Post noted that despite this, the regime is not currently showing any signs of cracking, with clerics and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps further consolidating their grip on the country over the past month.
The outlet went on to say that the body saying it was "impatiently waiting" for the arrival of U.S. troops illustrates how it has taken over the decision-making process in the country. Mehr, a semiofficial news agency, added that Tehran is prepared to give troops a "close-up view of naval surprises" should troops effectively seek to conduct operations in the country.
Other reports have detailed that Khamenei continues to be unavailable since the war began on February 28. Axios claimed that, according to intelligence services from the U.S. and Israel, Iranian officials continue to request meetings with Khamenei, even if they are unsuccessful due to security concerns.
It is unclear whether he is involved in any of the decisions being made by the Iranian regime at the moment. "It's beyond weird. We don't think the Iranians would have gone through all this trouble to choose a dead guy as the supreme leader, but at the same time, we have no proof that he is taking the helm," a U.S. official told the outlet.
There was speculation about the possibility that Khamenei could deliver an address last Friday during Norwuz, as his father had the tradition of giving a new year's address. However, only a written statement attributed to him was released.
Elsewhere, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman called for proof of life of Khamenei this week. Speaking to Fox Business, Fetterman said he "largely" agrees with President Donald Trump's claims that "Iran has essentially been defeated."
"Why don't the western media just demand that Iran provide proof of life of the ayatollah? I think the Iranians are doing kind of a Weekend at Ayatollah's, trying to pretend this guy is functional or even alive at this point," Fetterman added, in reference to the iconic movie where two men pretend their dead boss is alive to avoid becoming suspects of his death.
"They don't have any leadership and unwilling to even provide proof to refute that," Fetterman added. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said days ago that Khamenei is wounded and likely disfigured. Moreover, a report by British outlet The Sun claimed that the man is in a coma and lost a leg as a result of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
The outlet said that Khamenei has also suffered serious stomach and liver damage. Citing sources within Tehran, the outlet went on to claim the cleric is undergoing intensive care at the Sina University Hospital, with a section being sealed off and being guarded by several security officers.
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