Shock in Iran: Khamenei Uninformed About Ceasefire with Israel
Khamenei’s Absence in Ceasefire Negotiations
Reports surfaced today indicating that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was not involved in the recent negotiations or approval of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. The information, first reported by Iran International, revealed that decision-making regarding the ceasefire was handled by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and President Masoud Pashakian. They acted swiftly in response to a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Security Concerns and Communication Limitations
A source familiar with the situation disclosed that the council intended to respond quickly to the American proposal. However, at that moment, there was no opportunity to contact Khamenei directly. Consequently, the ceasefire was approved and communicated without his knowledge. In the days leading up to the agreement, Khamenei’s communication capabilities were severely restricted due to security concerns, notably fears of an attack on his location.
Khamenei’s Relocation to a Secure Bunker
According to reports from an opposition-affiliated channel in Iran, Khamenei and close family members, including his son Mojtaba, were relocated to a secure bunker in Alavi, northeast Tehran, shortly after the conflict began. Additionally, Khamenei’s authority concerning critical decisions was transferred to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps soon after the commencement of attacks from Israel. This transfer of power is viewed as a precautionary measure to ensure continuity of command in the event of escalation or a direct threat to the leader’s safety.
Public Statement Amidst Ongoing Conflict
Earlier today, Khamenei delivered his first public message since the ceasefire took effect, announcing a recorded televised speech in which he proclaimed victory over Israel. He asserted that the United States faced significant setbacks during the conflict, stating, “The Zionist regime, with all its noise and claims, was brought to its knees. The United States gained nothing and received a heavy blow in return.” The backdrop for the televised speech matched previous wartime messages, suggesting Khamenei remains in the same secure location.
Trump’s Shift in Tstart Following Ceasefire Announcement
Prior to Khamenei’s address, Trump had previously claimed via social media platform Truth Social that the United States knew the whereabouts of Khamenei, labeling him as an “easy target” while warning that American patience was “running out.” Nevertheless, post-ceasefire statements from Trump adopted a more tempered tstart, suggesting that “regime change brings chaos,” and emphasized, “We do not want to see so much chaos; let’s see how things develop.” Furthermore, he confirmed that the United States is preparing for a new round of talks with Iran in the forthcoming week.
The evolving dynamics between Iran and Israel, alongside the shifting tstarts from international leaders, mark a significant moment in ongoing geopolitical relations