Mujtaba Khamenei’s face and lips burnt, need for plastic surgery: Leg to be amputated, artificial leg to be fitted; Now army generals are running the country

On February 28, when America and Israel attacked the hideout of Mujtaba Khamenei’s father in Iran, he has been living in hiding. His father, wife and son died in the same attack. Mujtaba himself was injured and is now being looked after by a team of doctors. It is very difficult to meet him. Iran’s President Masoud Pazhakian, a heart surgeon by profession, and Health Minister have also been involved in his treatment. Senior officers and army commanders do not go to meet Mujbata, because they fear that Israel can attack him by finding out his whereabouts. Mujtaba Khamenei’s condition is critical, but he is completely active mentally. One of his legs has been operated thrice and now he will have to wear a prosthetic leg. One hand has also undergone surgery and it is slowly recovering. His face and lips are badly burnt, making it difficult to speak and will require further plastic surgery. This complete information has come to light on the basis of conversations with many senior officers, former officers, army personnel and experts. Everyone gave this information on the condition of hiding their identity because the matter is very sensitive. Mujtaba, who was running the country like a company director, when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the Supreme Leader of Iran, he alone took major decisions like war, peace and talks with America. He had full power. But his son and now Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei does not have the same role. Mujtaba Khamenei is a leader who does not come forward. Since assuming office in March, no one has seen him and his voice has also not been heard in public. In their place, now Iran’s army, especially the top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and people associated with them, are taking important decisions of the country. They have the most influence on issues like security, war and foreign policy. According to Abdolreza Davari, a former advisor, Mujtaba is running the country like a director of a company, but the real decisions are taken together by the ‘board’ i.e. the army generals. Mujtaba is highly dependent on his suggestions and decisions are taken collectively. Mujtaba has been missing since the war started. Mujtaba has not given any video or audio message till now, because he does not want to appear weak. Only written statements are issued by them, which are posted online or read on TV. The method of conveying the message to them is also very different. Messages written on paper are sealed in envelopes and passed from one person to another, who travel by car or bike to their hidden hideout. Their answers also come back in the same manner. Due to their safety, injuries and difficulty in contacting them, the responsibility for taking decisions has been handed over to the army generals. Although different political ideologies still exist in the country, the real power now lies with the army. Mujtaba also has a long association with the military, as he fought in the Iran-Iraq War as a teenager and has formed many close relationships since then. IRGC became stronger after the death of Ali Khamenei. US President Donald Trump has said that after this war and the death of many big leaders of Iran, ‘the system has changed’ and the new leaders are more intelligent. But the reality is that Iran’s government has not ended, but now the power has gone into the hands of a strong and tough army and the influence of religious leaders is decreasing. Experts say that Mujtaba is not completely under control yet. He is formally involved in the decisions, but he is often shown ready-made decisions. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also said that proposals related to the nuclear deal with the US and the peace plan are shown to Mojtaba and his opinion is sought. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was created to protect the Islamic Revolution of 1979, has grown in power over time. It has expanded its influence in politics, industry, intelligence and many groups in the Middle East. Earlier he used to follow the orders of Ali Khamenei, but now the situation has changed. IRGC, which was taking every important decision of Iran, created a vacant place after the death of Ali Khamenei, and during that time IRGC supported Mujtaba and played an important role in making him the Supreme Leader. Now he has become the real force. Today IRGC holds many big positions and powers. Their commanders, the head of the Security Council and military advisers are all involved in important decisions. According to an expert, “There is a leader named Mujtaba, but he does not have the real power that his father had. He is largely dependent on the guards.” The generals consider this war an existential threat to the government and say they have brought the situation under control. He remains ahead in every major decision. He took decisions like closing Hormuz, which affected the world economy. The Guards also decided the strategy of attacks on Iran, steps against Gulf countries, and decisions like closing the sea route. He also approved a temporary ceasefire and talks with America. The Guards even took the decision to bring Ghalibaf forward for talks with US Vice President JD Vance. For the first time, many army generals became directly part of the negotiating team. Besides, he also used the gains made in the war to repel his opponents inside the country. The role of the President and the Foreign Minister has been weakened. The President and his cabinet have been almost sidelined and have been asked to focus only on the internal affairs of the country, such as running food, fuel and essential services. The role of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also been reduced and in his place, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf has come forward in the talks. Mujtaba Khamenei rarely opposes these decisions and usually obeys the generals. Mujtaba Khamenei’s inclination towards the army is also because he is a new leader and he does not have the political and religious hold like his father. Besides, he also has a long personal relationship with the army. Mujtaba took part in the Iran-Iraq War at the age of 17 and served in the Habib Battalion. From there they formed relationships, which later led them to big military and intelligence positions. He also completed religious education and handled military and intelligence operations while working with his father. People close to him include former intelligence chief Hussain Taeb, General Mohsin Rezai and Ghalibaf. These people often worked together and were called power triangle. He was also accused of interference in the 2009 elections. Even today these relationships are determining the equation between him and the generals. They consider each other as equals, not in a top-down relationship. However, not all decisions are taken by generals alone. There have always been different factions in Iranian politics and disagreements also occur. The President and the Foreign Minister are also included in the National Security Council. But in the present situation the generals are dominant and there does not seem to be any major difference between them at present. Difference in thinking between the President and IRGC: Recently, when preparations were being made for the second round of talks between America and Iran, the generals canceled it. The reason was that America was continuing the maritime blockade on Iran and Trump was continuously applying pressure. The US also seized two Iranian ships, further angering the generals. He believed that America wants to subdue Iran not through talks but through pressure. President Pazhakian and Foreign Minister Araghchi wanted to continue talks. He spoke of the huge economic losses caused by the war, estimated at around $300 billion, and the need to lift sanctions. But the generals moved on and the talks broke down. Ghalibaf has no idea of ​​the reality, now the situation is not clear. Trump has extended the ceasefire but is maintaining the blockade and has asked Iran to make a peace proposal on its own terms. It is also not clear how much concessions the IRGC will make for the agreement with America, especially regarding the nuclear program. There is also a hard-line faction in Iran, which is against any agreement and believes that America and Israel can be defeated by continuing the fight. His supporters are demonstrating on the streets. Some people want that Mujtaba himself should come forward and give a message to the people, but this has not happened yet. People at rallies in Tehran are chanting, “Commander, give the order, we are ready.” Addressing the people, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said that Iran has achieved some military success, but it does not mean that it has become more powerful than America. He said that now these achievements should be used in talks.



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