Amid speculations about the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a report has stated that the head of the Islamic Republic does not reside in the country.
A report that appeared on Saudi channel Al-Hadath said Khamenei is not in Iran and the messages that appear in his name are drafted by Ahmad Vahidi and other senior Revolutionary Guards officials.
Khamenei, who took over the reins of leadership after the murder of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is completely disconnected from what is happening on the ground, Al-Hadath quoted Israeli officials.
According to estimates, senior Revolutionary Guards officials are trying to hide the leader's absence from the country and create a false impression, both externally and internally. This is to display governmental stability and complete control over the situation, in the shadow of the upheaval that is taking place in the regime.
The source also added that internal disputes in Iran are deep and threaten the existence of the Revolutionary Guards. He also claimed that the internal crisis in the country is worsening.
The Israeli security official also claimed that Iran was preparing a sophisticated operation to assassinate a number of senior Israeli officials in downtown Tel Aviv. The plan was designed to avenge the killing of Ali Khamenei. He also claimed that the United States is not interested in Israel participating in offensive operations, even if the Islamic Republic of Iran launches an attack on Israel.
Though statements attributed to Khamenei come from Iran, he has never been seen in public, including at his father’s grand funeral. Reports had earlier stated that Khamenei Jr. was unconscious and that preparations were being made for his burial next to his father in a new mausoleum.
Meanwhile, Abbas Araqchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic, said that he has not yet met Mojtaba Khamenei in person, and that only "a few people" have met with him.
