Where Is Iran’s Supreme Leader? Khamenei Missing from Public View, Rumours Swirl

Tehran: Three days have passed since the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, but during this time there is only one question on the lips of Iranian people and many people in the world. That question is where is Iran's Supreme Leader? Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has not been seen in public for the last one week, after which a round of speculation has started whether the Iranian Supreme is safe? According to the New York Times report, the same question was asked to an official of Khamenei's office on Iran's state television. The TV host told the official, 'People are very worried about the Supreme Leader, can you tell us how he is?'

Mehdi Fazaeli, the head of Khamenei's archives office, did not give a direct answer to this. Instead, he said that 'we should all pray that the people responsible for the safety of the Supreme Leader are doing their job well.' However, Khamenei's absence despite the extraordinary crisis on the country is raising questions.

Khamenei hiding in a bunker

Last Sunday, the US bombed three nuclear facilities of Iran, in response to which Iran fired missiles at the US base in Qatar. After this, Iran and Israel agreed on a ceasefire, which came into effect from Tuesday morning. During all this, Iranian officials say that Khamenei is hiding in a bunker and is not using electronic communications. He has not even issued any statement or recorded message.

Serious questions raised by Khamenei's absence

But the Supreme Leader's absence has surprised and restless the Iranian people. Government officials have been evasive about whether they have met or spoken to Khamenei in recent days. Their silence has fueled a flurry of speculation about whether Khamenei has been involved in recent decisions? Is he still monitoring the country? Is he injured, sick or even alive?

Iran fears Israel

The New York Times quoted Hamza Safavi, a political analyst and son of Khamenei's top adviser General Yahya Safavi, as saying that Iranian security officials believe Israel may try to assassinate Khamenei even during the ceasefire. Therefore, limited contact with the outside world and extreme security protocols have been implemented for him.

Safavi said that he believed Khamenei was considering important decisions from a distance. However, Khamenei supporters do not seem satisfied with this. They are writing on social media that until they see or hear the Supreme Leader, they do not feel that Iran has emerged victorious in the war against Israel.