Sources familiar with US intelligence reports told CNN that Mojtaba Khamenei still plays a crucial role in Iran's war strategy and negotiations, despite numerous reports suggesting he was seriously injured in US and Israeli airstrikes.

According to these sources, Khamenei, 56, is believed to be directly directing negotiations with the US from an undisclosed secret location.

This is seen as the strongest sign of his actual influence in Tehran since taking over the position of Supreme Leader in March this year.

Sources previously described Khamenei as still:

“mentally sharp”
and continuing to meet with senior Iranian officials to participate in decisions regarding peace talks mediated by Pakistan.

However, no one knows exactly where Khamenei is currently hiding.

According to the report, the Iranian leader has not appeared publicly or spoken directly since being appointed to succeed his father.

Iranian state media has only released three written statements attributed to him since then.

The report also mentions assessments from some US intelligence sources suggesting that Khamenei:

“could be gay”
even though he leads a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.

However, Iran denies reports that the new leader was seriously injured.

Mazaher Hosseini — in charge of protocol in the Supreme Leader's office — said on Friday:

“He is currently in perfect health.”

The official stated:

“Only a small piece of shrapnel hit behind his ear.”

However, intelligence sources told CNN that Khamenei is believed to have suffered:

  • severe burns to the face,

  • hands,

  • torso,

  • and legs on one side of his body,
    and may have even lost a leg following the opening airstrikes of the war.

According to the article, Khamenei currently avoids using electronic devices to limit the risk of foreign intelligence tracking his location.

He is believed to only meet senior leaders in person or communicate via couriers.

While Khamenei still influences decisions related to:

  • negotiations to end the war,

  • and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,
    day-to-day operations in Tehran are now believed to be primarily handled by senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In a related development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Thursday that he had just met with Khamenei for over two hours.

According to Iranian media, Pezeshkian said:

“What impressed me most was the vision and the sincere and humble approach of the Supreme Leader.”