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With the entire nation observing, the host on Iranian state television posed a question that many in Iran — from the political elite to everyday citizens — were contemplating.
“People are extremely concerned about the supreme leader,” the host remarked to an official from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office on Tuesday. “Could you provide us with an update on his condition?”
He mentioned that viewers had inundated the station with messages inquiring about the same issue. However, the official, Mehdi Fazaeli, who heads Mr. Khamenei’s archives office, did not provide a direct response.
Instead, Mr. Fazaeli indicated that he, too, had been approached by numerous officials and others expressing concern for the ayatollah following the intense bombing campaign by Israel and the United States. “We should all be praying,” Mr. Fazaeli stated.
“The individuals tasked with ensuring the safety of the supreme leader are performing their duties effectively,” he continued. “God willing, our people will be able to celebrate victory alongside their leader, God willing.”
Mr. Khamenei, who holds the ultimate authority on significant decisions in Iran, has not been seen or heard from publicly for nearly a week, despite the unprecedented crisis facing his nation.
In just the past few days, the United States has bombed three of Iran’s nuclear sites, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at an American base in Qatar, and Iran and Israel reached a cease-fire agreement that took effect Tuesday morning.
Throughout this turmoil, Mr. Khamenei — who officials report has been taking refuge in a bunker and avoiding electronic communication to thwart assassination attempts — has remained out of sight, making no public statements or recorded announcements.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
