Pezeshkian Reports Communication Breakdown With Iran's Supreme Leader

President Masoud Pezeshkian reported that communication with Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has become very difficult. This admission contradicts previous claims of increased access and follows Khamenei's prolonged absence from public view, including his failure to attend his father's funeral. These events have fueled speculation that the Supreme Leader is incapacitated or in critical condition.

The resulting leadership vacuum has shifted power toward a decentralized collective framework. This structure is currently dominated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and political figures such as Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who are effectively managing the government's day-to-day affairs.

This instability is hindering negotiations with the United States. Mediators report that Iranian negotiators are struggling to reach agreements due to a lack of clear authorization from the elusive leadership. To prevent intelligence breaches, the Iranian government has restricted technology for diplomatic communications, opting instead to deliver handwritten notes via aircraft.