Where's Khamenei? Iranians Still Waiting, 6 Months Later

Six months into a war reshaping the Middle East, Iran's new supreme leader is still a ghost. A Reuters analysis notes that Mojtaba Khamenei, who took over after his father was killed in the opening strikes of the conflict, has not appeared in any photo, video, or audio since assuming the job—unprecedented silence in a system built around a visible, incontestable leader. Iranian sources quoted by Reuters insist he's firmly in charge, ruling from secure locations out of safety and signing off on key decisions. But as the economy buckles under war costs and an oil blockade, that explanation is wearing thin for both loyalists and critics.

"We need to hear our leader's voice, or see any sign that he is there on top and leading the country to give us more confidence," a member of the Basij volunteer militia in Qom tells the outlet. Behind the scenes, the Revolutionary Guards and a tight circle around the Supreme National Security Council appear to be steering day-to-day strategy. The story notes one possible explanation for Khamenei's absence from the public eye: reports that his face was disfigured in the first attacks of the war. But one insider says Khamenei's health continues to improve. In the meantime, analysts warn that Khamenei's invisibility risks fueling dangerous factional rivalries. Read the full piece by Parisa Hafezi and Angus McDowall.