Explosive report claims Iran’s key decisions are being driven by Revolutionary Guard commanders as the supreme leader recovers from injuries and governs remotely.
A startling report has raised fresh questions about who truly holds power in Iran, suggesting a significant shift within the country’s leadership structure following recent turmoil.
According to The New York Times, Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains mentally alert and informed but is no longer directly steering critical state decisions. Instead, authority appears to have shifted toward a group of senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), effectively reshaping the country’s power dynamics.
Citing an unnamed Iranian official, the report claims that Khamenei was injured in an aerial attack earlier this year and continues to receive medical care under close supervision. Despite his condition, he is reportedly conscious and capable of making decisions — though communication with him has taken an unusual turn.
Messages are said to be delivered to the supreme leader through handwritten notes carried by trusted couriers, with Khamenei responding in writing. This indirect communication method is being used to avoid detection by foreign intelligence, particularly from the United States and Israel.
The report further indicates that senior officials are deliberately avoiding direct contact with Khamenei to maintain operational security. Instead, a secure yet unconventional messaging system has been put in place to ensure continuity in governance.
Even while remaining out of the public eye, Khamenei is said to stay informed about global and domestic developments through written briefings. He continues to approve major decisions, but the execution and formulation of those decisions are increasingly handled by military leadership.
Describing the evolving structure, the report likens Iran’s governance to a “board of directors,” with IRGC commanders playing a central role. Iranian politician Abdolreza Davari reportedly confirmed that key generals are effectively acting as decision-makers, particularly in defense and foreign policy, while the supreme leader provides final endorsement.
The developments follow a reported March attack that allegedly left Khamenei injured and resulted in the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with members of Iran’s top military leadership — a claim that has not been officially confirmed by Iranian authorities.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has taken on a more prominent role in recent weeks. He stated that proposals regarding a potential peace agreement with the United States have already been presented to the supreme leader, whose opinion will remain decisive.
The report also suggests that Ghalibaf is now leading diplomatic negotiations, sidelining Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, marking another notable shift within Iran’s political hierarchy.
While these claims remain difficult to independently verify, they paint a picture of a country navigating internal restructuring at a critical moment — with military leadership emerging as a dominant force behind the scenes.
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