Iran's unseen Supreme Leader may turn to Putin as first foreign contact amid war

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly limiting his public activities, with an Iranian source telling TASS that he will not make any public appearances until the ongoing war with the United States and Israel ends and security conditions improve. This decision marks a significant departure from typical leadership visibility, especially during a period of conflict.

The same source indicated that Khamenei's first engagement with a foreign leader could be a phone call or meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This potential interaction underscores the strengthening relationship between Tehran and Moscow amidst the heightened geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war.

Khamenei has remained out of the public eye since assuming leadership in February, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in alleged U.S.-Israeli strikes. His absence was also noted at his father's funeral. Since disappearing from public view, his communications have been exclusively through written statements.

The conflict, initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, resulted in the deaths of Khamenei's father and other senior Iranian officials. While a ceasefire memorandum of understanding was signed in June, the U.S. resumed large-scale airstrikes on July 8, accusing Iran of violating the agreement. Tehran has denied these accusations, placing responsibility on Washington for the breakdown.

These developments occur amid reports of internal divisions within Tehran, with hardliners reportedly accusing the civilian leadership of orchestrating a "soft coup" against the supreme leader. Khamenei's seclusion and potential engagement with Putin occur against this backdrop of external conflict and internal political maneuvering.

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His Excellency will not make any public appearances in the near future for security reasons. The government is waiting for the situation to normalise. After that, he will appear in public.