According to the Jerusalam post, a new report has shed light on the internal dynamics of Iran’s leadership, suggesting that while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains alive and cognitively engaged, much of the country’s day-to-day decision-making has effectively shifted into the hands of senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders.
According to the report, Khamenei is still actively involved in high-level discussions and continues to monitor developments both domestically and internationally. The New York Times said that Khamenei remains “mentally sharp and engaged,” receiving handwritten notes with updates from the outside world. These updates reportedly serve as his primary channel of communication, allowing aides and insiders to relay information without direct exposure to the broader political environment.
Despite this continued awareness, the report indicates that operational authority has increasingly moved toward a small circle of IRGC leaders, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions and internal unrest. These commanders are said to be coordinating security responses, shaping military strategy, and influencing political decisions in ways that suggest a more collective or even fragmented leadership structure.
Sources familiar with the situation described a system in which the Supreme Leader’s approval is still sought on major issues, but where initiative and execution now lie largely with the IRGC. This shift has reportedly accelerated in recent months as Iran faces mounting external pressure and renewed protests within its borders.
The role of Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s son, remains a subject of speculation. While he has long been viewed by some analysts as a potential successor or influential behind-the-scenes figure, the report does not confirm that he is directly managing state affairs. Instead, it points to a broader consolidation of power within the military establishment.
Analysts say this evolving structure reflects both necessity and strategy. With Iran navigating a volatile geopolitical landscape, including ongoing tensions with Israel and the United States the IRGC’s growing influence underscores its central role in safeguarding the regime’s stability.
At the same time, the apparent decentralization of authority could introduce new uncertainties. Competing priorities among commanders and the absence of a singular, visibly active leader may complicate decision-making processes at critical moments.
Still, the image presented is not one of a leadership vacuum, but rather of a system adapting under pressure where an aging but still attentive Supreme Leader presides over a state increasingly steered by its most powerful military institution.
