Mojtaba not supreme: The shadow guard steering Iran

Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is running the country from a highly secure, undisclosed location, relying heavily on senior military commanders to manage major decisions, according to a report by The New York Times. The turning point came after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which recast Iran’s power structure, elevating the Revolutionary Guards from enforcers to decision-makers.

Instead of being driven by a single, all-powerful leader, Iran is now being guided by a tight circle of senior figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, who are shaping major decisions on war, diplomacy and internal strategy. While Mojtaba Khamenei remains the formal head, officials and reports say real authority is increasingly exercised by the generals who helped bring him to power.

MOJTABA KHAMENEI RELIES ON HANDWRITTEN NOTES

According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei has been out of public view since he was elevated to the top post in March. He is said to be operating from a secure hideout after being injured in the same strike that killed his father and other family members. Access to him is tightly controlled, with communication relying on handwritten messages passed through trusted couriers. Even senior officials avoid visiting him directly due to fears that his location could be exposed.

His injuries and the need for tight security have limited his direct role, forcing him to pass on much of the decision-making. In his place, a group of military leaders has stepped in to handle matters of national security and foreign policy.

MILITARY LEADERS TAKE CHARGE

The balance of power has now tilted clearly towards the Revolutionary Guards, long a dominant force in Iran’s political and military system.

According to officials cited by The NYT, top commanders, including Ahmad Vahidi, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr and Yahya Rahim Safavi are playing a big role in decision-making.

They are not only directing Iran’s military strategy but are also taking the lead in diplomatic efforts, including negotiations with Washington. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, himself a former Guards commander, has emerged as a key face in these talks.

This marks a clear break from the system under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, where authority was concentrated in one leader. Now, decisions are being made collectively, with Mojtaba Khamenei often approving outcomes rather than setting the direction himself.

‘THE GENERALS ARE THE BOARD’

Abdolreza Davari, a former adviser to ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said the new arrangement is a form of shared leadership. “Mojtaba is managing the country as though he is the director of the board,” he said. “He relies heavily on the advice and guidance of the board members, and they collectively make all the decisions,” he said, as quoted by The NYT.

“The generals are the board members,” he added.

This structure reflects reality. Mojtaba Khamenei does not carry the same religious influence or long-established authority that defined his father’s rule. His rise, however, has been shaped by personal ties with the Revolutionary Guards, built during his early years as a young volunteer in the Iran-Iraq war, which have now strengthened the military’s influence at the centre of power.

Meanwhile, leaders like President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have seen their roles reduced, with a focus largely on domestic management rather than strategic direction, claims the report.

However, any chance of a quick diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran has hit a wall, with talks hitting obstacles over the weekend. Backchannel efforts have failed to bridge differences, leaving the ceasefire without a clear next step.

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