Mojtaba Khamenei He faces serious medical challenges after surviving a bomb attack, raising questions about his ability to take full control as the country grapples with war and fragile ceasefire talks.According to the New York Times, Khamenei underwent surgery on his hands and suffered severe facial burns. He was injured during the strike and is waiting for prosthetic limbs to be installed.While he was still mentally capable of making decisions, his physical condition severely limited his direct involvement.
limited control, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Growing influence
The New York Times cited four officials familiar with the matter as saying Khamenei had had minimal contact with the Iranian generals during the ongoing negotiations. Analysts believe this has created a power vacuum that is increasingly being filled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).“Mojtaba is not yet in full command or control,” Chatham House’s Sanam Vakil told The New York Times, adding that his decisions were often a “fait accompli.”The New York Times quoted Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group as saying: “Mojtaba is not supreme; he may be the nominal leader, but he is not as supreme as his father… Mojtaba surrenders to the Revolutionary Guards.”
Governance transformation under war pressure
According to the New York Times, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps played a decisive role in blocking planned talks with the United States in Islamabad, overriding Iran’s civilian leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.Khamenei, who succeeded Khamenei after his father Ali Khamenei died in a US-Israeli attack, has made no public appearances or verbal statements since taking office, reportedly to avoid appearing weak.Instead, communication with him took place through sealed, hand-delivered letters.
The emergence of “board-style” leadership
Describing the changing power structure, former adviser Abdolreza Davari told the New York Times, “Mojtaba runs the country as if he were a board member…the generals are board members.”The shift marked a departure from his father’s previous centralization of power, with military commanders now playing a more dominant role in decision-making.The developments come as an indefinite cease-fire continues between Iran and the United States, with both sides assessing ways to resume talks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.However, with changing internal power dynamics and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming greater control, the diplomatic outlook remains uncertain.
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