Iran's competing political factions are increasingly leveraging the authority of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to attack their adversaries and bolster their own positions, even as uncertainty surrounds his active role in governing the nation, according to experts.
Recent reports have highlighted this dynamic, with competing claims emerging regarding Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's interactions with the new supreme leader. One report, citing senior cleric Mohammad-Bagher Kharrazi, alleged that Pezeshkian had threatened to resign multiple times and was warned that his next resignation would be accepted. Kharrazi was quoted as saying, "If he resigns one more time, I will approve it."
Pezeshkian's office has vehemently denied this account, labeling the allegation "baseless and an outright lie." A presidential advisor also stated that Kharrazi had no direct contact with the supreme leader and is known for fabricating stories.
Subsequent reporting from another outlet suggested Pezeshkian met Mojtaba Khamenei only once in a brief, obscured encounter in Tehran. According to unnamed sources, the president later questioned whether the voice he heard was genuinely the supreme leader's. These claims have not been independently verified. Pezeshkian himself had previously described a cordial, hours-long meeting with Khamenei.
Kasra Aarabi, director of IRGC research at United Against Nuclear Iran, characterized these competing narratives as indicative of a deeper power struggle within what he termed an "Islamist oligarchic mafia system." Aarabi explained that under Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader acted as a "godfather" mediating between factions. Mojtaba Khamenei's succession was intended to fill this void, but his significant public absence has left these factions uncertain about the lines of authority.
"The very essence of this mafia system is built on a godfather," Aarabi stated. "If the godfather is absent, whether because he is severely incapacitated or nonexistent, that vacuum … re-emerges between the various Islamist oligarchic clans."
According to Aarabi, the divisions among these factions are not primarily ideological but are driven by competition over "raw power and economic interests." He suggests that Mojtaba Khamenei's name has become a political tool, invoked by different factions to legitimize themselves, check rivals, or rationalize decisions whose origins are unclear.
"Mojtaba’s name is the glue that’s holding the system together right now," Aarabi said. "Each of these clans invokes his name to justify its existence, legitimize its position, and consolidate its place within this fragile system."
Exiled Iranian journalist Mehdi Ghadimi described the resignation rumors as a recurring political tactic employed by reformist administrations seeking to garner public sympathy and improve their image when their political utility is perceived to be waning. He noted similar rumors surrounded former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani.
Ghadimi expressed stronger doubts about Mojtaba Khamenei's current capacity, stating he does not believe there is "a functioning person by that name who is capable of thinking, making decisions or speaking." He speculated that Khamenei is either deceased or in a severely deteriorated condition.
Aarabi cautioned that the invocation of Khamenei's name as a source of authority may become less effective if his public invisibility persists. "There’s only so many times you can use someone’s name without any proof of life that they actually exist," he said. "The longer Mojtaba is absent, the more questions develop over whether he is alive or able. And as soon as that doubt increases, you will see this infighting increase."
Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in any publicly released video or audio recordings since assuming the role of Supreme Leader, according to Iran International. Officials have provided conflicting accounts regarding the frequency of meetings between senior government figures and him.