Continued from P1

The report also referred to claims by IranWire, which cited sources close to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, which more or less made similar claims. The outlet cited two sources that said Mojtaba Khamenei had not met any Cabinet members since the US attack on the Supreme Leader’s compound that killed his father and other family members on February 28.

The source said that he could "die at any moment" and the news of his condition is currently being circulated within senior levels of Iran’s leadership. A source close to Pezeshkian’s cabinet was quoted as saying his physical condition was poor. “We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon," the source said.

However, Iranian officials have previously rejected all reports claiming that Khamenei is incapacitated, saying his injuries from the February strike were not serious.

In fact, Iranian President Pezeshkian recently acknowledged that communication with the Supreme Leader was “very difficult" at the moment. However, he insisted that Khamenei remained a source of strength for the government.

“It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us so that we can continue," Pezeshkian said in an interview with Iranian state media.

He went on to defend the Iranian supreme leader by saying he had held productive meetings with him and described him as having “very sound logic". However, Khamenei’s continued absence from public view has fuelled speculation among both regional and international observers. Previous reports have claimed that he had suffered serious injuries during the strikes, while Iranian officials have maintained that he continues to oversee the country’s affairs.

Meanwhile, Western and Opposition intelligence sources have also frequently suggested that he sustained severe or disfiguring injuries during the strikes. The lack of public appearances is fuelling these speculations even more.