Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, has been missing from public view since Operation Epic Fury or since the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran war. Now, the fresh intelligence reports have intensified the speculation about Mojtaba Khamenei’s whereabouts.Â
As claimed by American officials, Mojtaba Khamenei is currently living and hiding in an underground bunker in Iran with extreme security protection and is using a secret courier network to communicate with senior officials.Â
Mojataba Khamenei, missing from public view, has also complicated the US-Iran peace talks, and the future of the peace deal is now under strain.Â
Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?
According to US intelligence officials quoted by CBS News, Mojtaba Khamenei is currently staying at a heavily protected undisclosed site somewhere inside Iran.
Reports claim even senior Iranian officials do not know his exact location or have direct access to him. Officials said Iran’s leadership adopted extraordinary security measures after major US and Israeli strikes targeted key Iranian leadership compounds during Operation Epic Fury earlier this year.
Iranian state media have not released any recent verified public appearance of Mojtaba Khamenei since the conflict began.
Mojtaba Khamenei Living in a Secret Location?
Multiple reports suggest Mojtaba Khamenei has been operating through a hidden communication system involving trusted couriers instead of direct electronic contact.
US officials reportedly believe the system was designed to prevent foreign intelligence agencies from locating him after several top Iranian officials were identified during the conflict.
Officials told CBS News that messages from negotiators and government officials often take days to reach the supreme leader because of the complicated security structure surrounding him.
Mojtaba Khamenei Dead or Alive?
There is currently no confirmed evidence suggesting Mojtaba Khamenei is dead. US intelligence officials and Trump administration sources have repeatedly stated that he survived the February strikes linked to Operation Epic Fury.
However, his long absence from public events and the lack of verified recent footage have fueled widespread online speculation regarding his health and condition.
Reports indicate Iranian authorities continue releasing carefully controlled statements and undated video clips to show he remains in control of the government.
Mojtaba Khameni Injuries
Reports suggest Mojtaba Khamenei suffered injuries during the February 28 strikes carried out by US and Israeli forces.
According to intelligence assessments, he reportedly escaped with minor leg and back injuries after moving away from the main impact area moments before missiles struck the leadership compound in Tehran.
Some unverified reports earlier claimed he had suffered severe injuries, but later intelligence assessments suggested those claims were exaggerated.
Mojtaba Khamenei Using Secret Courier Networks?
US officials reportedly described Iran’s leadership structure as operating almost entirely from fortified underground bunkers after the war began. “Watching them try to figure out how to talk to each other is almost like watching a sitcom. They are completely exasperated,” one US official said.
Officials also claimed many senior Iranian figures now avoid direct conversations unless necessary due to fears of surveillance and targeted strikes.Â
Instead, information reportedly moves through secret courier routes created to hide the supreme leader’s location.
What Happened During Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury was a joint US-Israeli military campaign launched against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure earlier this year. The strikes reportedly targeted leadership compounds, missile systems and underground facilities across Tehran and other strategic areas.
Reports claim the operation killed former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after which Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership in March 2026.
US-Iran Peace Deal Failing?
US officials acknowledged that ongoing communication problems inside Iran have slowed negotiations with Washington. Officials said delays in reaching Mojtaba Khamenei have complicated decision-making on several major issues related to the proposed agreement.
“This is why you see people saying things like, ‘The supreme leader has agreed to the framework,’ or ‘We’re waiting to hear back on the final deal points,'” one official said.
“Every piece of information he receives is dated, and there’s a lot of latency to his responses.”
US-Iran Peace Deal Update
Despite the delays, officials from the Trump administration reportedly said the broad outline of a draft peace agreement has already received approval from Mojtaba Khamenei.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump recently stated on Truth Social that he expected a final decision regarding the agreement within the next few days.
Officials added that Mojtaba Khamenei has already outlined which issues Iranian negotiators can discuss with Washington and which subjects remain completely off limits.
