Where is Khamenei? New power centres emerge in Iran as Supreme Leader goes MIA

Though it has been days since Israel and Iran announced a ceasefire, there is still no sign of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, triggering a discussion about his whereabouts in the embattled nation. The Supreme Leader, who is said to be hiding in a bunker to escape from Israeli missiles that took out several of his aides and advisors, has not been seen publicly or heard from in nearly a week.

So much so that in his absence, a faction feud has reared its ugly head in Tehran, according to The New York Times.  

Iranians who witnessed a military campaign that decimated their nuclear facilities are demanding an answer about Khamenei as some are worried that he could be dead. Mohsen Khalifeh, the editor-in-chief of the Iranian newspaper Khaneman, voiced his concern, stating the Supreme Leader's absence has unnerved people who love him. People like him fear the possibility of the "unthinkable".

His absence has also triggered speculation on whether Khamenei was in the loop when the cease-fire agreement with Israel was carried out at the behest of US President Donald Trump and the Emir of Qatar. Senior military commanders and government officials have not yet given a clear reply as to whether Khamenei was consulted, the report added.

Political analyst Hamzeh Safavi, son of IRCG commander General Yahya Safavi, told the NYT that said that Iran’s security officials are protecting Khamenei as they believe Israel might still try to assassinate him even during a cease-fire. "There is a pragmatic view taking hold for managing the country out of this crisis," he said, adding that Khamenei was taking key decisions remotely.

Sanam Vakil, director for the Middle East and North Africa at Chatham House, said Khamenei’s absence was notable and a sign that Iran’s leaders were being "extremely careful". "If we don’t see Khamenei by Ashura,” an important religious procession for Shiite Muslims observed in Iran in early July this year, that is a bad sign. He has to show his face," said Vakil.

Also read: End of Khamenei era? Iran's elite may take over power, strike deal with US to stop Israeli attacks

Factional feud

Safavi said the leadership has empowered other leaders like President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose faction is now emerging stronger, The NYT quoted four senior Iranian officials who said that "politicians and military commanders were forming alliances and vying for power in Khamenei's absence".

Pezeshkian's faction, which has the upper hand now, is "pushing for moderation and diplomacy" and is willing to engage in negotiations with the United States. He even attended a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday where he stressed how it was time to change how the country was managed.

A rival faction led by hardliner politician Saeed Jalili is, however, not in favour of engaging anymore with the United States. Jalili has publicly criticised the President and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for the ceasefire, the NYT report added.

Earlier, there were reports that a group of high-ranking officials in Iran were reportedly plotting to take over the country by sidelining Khamenei. The plan is to form a leadership committee which could take the reins of the country and negotiate a deal with the United States to stop the Israeli attacks, the report added. The committee could consider former President Hassan Rouhani, a former diplomat and Iran's seventh president from 2013 to 2021.

Middle East