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Mojtaba Khamenei's absence fuels doubts over Iran's leadership
Iran's newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to appear in public since his appointment, sparking speculation about his condition and who truly holds power in Tehran.
First statement raises more questions than answers
Khamenei delivered his inaugural address on Thursday-not in person, but through a state TV presenter. His message declared Iran would maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, and vowed further retaliation for civilian deaths in the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
"Retaliation so far has been only a limited portion of what is to come," the statement read. Khamenei also claimed he learned of his appointment via state television.
Public skepticism grows over unseen leader
Interviews with Iranians, conducted under anonymity due to safety concerns, revealed widespread doubt about Khamenei's role. A Tehran resident in her 40s told the BBC she suspected the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was now running the country. "I don't even think it was his message," she said.
A man in his 30s from the capital questioned the authenticity of the statement: "It was surprising that he did not issue even a voice memo and raised doubts about his condition." Another young Tehran resident admitted, "I still haven't seen him to have an opinion about him."
"Wow, very heartwarming that he didn't even appear on state TV to issue the message."
A woman in her 20s from Rasht
Pro-regime rallies contrast with public unease
Despite the skepticism, thousands gathered in Tehran on Friday for Quds Day rallies, an annual event supporting Palestine and opposing Israel. Many participants carried photos of Mojtaba Khamenei, and state media published images of top officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, attending the demonstrations.
Khamenei's statement had urged Iranians to join the rallies to "confront the enemy." However, BBC Persian verified footage of an explosion near the crowd in Tehran, following an Israeli evacuation warning for the area. In one video, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was seen giving an interview when a blast occurred, prompting chants of "Allahu Akbar."
War's toll and unyielding rhetoric
Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, reported on Tuesday that thousands of civilian sites, including schools and homes, had been destroyed by airstrikes. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) estimated nearly 1,800 deaths in the conflict, with two-thirds being civilians.
A Tehran resident in his 30s interpreted Khamenei's message as a sign of unchanging hardline policies: "The message was very radical. I think it shows that nothing can be changed from within." Another man from Karaj echoed the sentiment: "The Islamic Republic, no matter who its leader is, will always stick to its own beliefs."
"He's even more worthless than his father."
A resident of Karaj
Internet blackout limits information flow
Iran's government-imposed internet blackout has made it difficult to contact people inside the country, though some manage brief connections via satellite uplinks. Most who spoke to the BBC were anti-regime, and their identities were protected for safety.
