Iran's Khamenei isolated behind 'labyrinth' of couriers, US intelligence reveals

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is operating from a secret location with extremely limited external contact, according to US intelligence officials speaking to CBS. He is reportedly accessible only through a complex network of couriers, a situation that significantly hampers communication and introduces considerable delays in critical processes, including ongoing negotiations with the United States.

This isolation extends even to high-ranking Iranian government officials, who are unaware of Khamenei's whereabouts and cannot directly reach him. One official described the communication challenges as akin to watching a "sitcom," highlighting the exasperation caused by the convoluted and time-delayed information flow. "Every piece of information he receives is dated, and there's a lot of latency to his responses," the official noted.

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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.' Every piece of information he receives is dated, and there's a lot of latency to his responses.

Adding to the complexity, many Iranian leaders are reportedly spending extended periods inside fortified bunkers, a measure taken to mitigate risks from potential Israeli and US strikes. This practice further fragments communication channels and complicates the chain of command.

Reports suggest Khamenei may have been wounded in early March airstrikes on Tehran, though a person familiar with the matter indicated he remained capable of performing his duties. However, sources close to his inner circle have indicated he was still recovering from severe injuries sustained in a February 28 airstrike that killed his predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite his recovery status, he is described as remaining "mentally sharp" and participating in meetings via audio conferencing.

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Watching them try to figure out how to talk to each other is almost like watching a sitcom. They are completely exasperated.