Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Pezeshkian Says Contact With Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei 'Very Difficult'
Iran has a very important leader called the Supreme Leader.
A new Supreme Leader named Mojtaba Khamenei took over after his father died.
His father was killed in a big attack, and Mojtaba was hurt too.
Since then, Mojtaba has stayed away from public places and did not even go to his father's funeral.
Right now, Iran is in a conflict with the United States.
The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, says it is very hard to talk to the Supreme Leader at the moment.
But the president says the Supreme Leader is still a great source of strength for the country.
The president says some people are telling lies about the Supreme Leader.
Some news reports say the two leaders are not getting along and that the Supreme Leader supports the military more than the president.
So right now, people are not sure if Iran's leaders are working together or not.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told news agency AFP that communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has become 'very difficult at the moment.'
Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56-year-old cleric wounded in the US-Israeli strike that launched the Middle East war, has not appeared in public since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the same attack.
Pezeshkian said Khamenei remains 'a very great source of strength' and continues to play an important role in Iran's retaliation.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 14 reported that Khamenei has issued a 'final ultimatum' to the president and backs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Ahmad Vahidi on key decisions.
Channel 14 claimed Pezeshkian allegedly sought to resign in May, saying his administration was 'entirely sidelined' from national security and foreign policy decisions.
- Who
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
- What
- Pezeshkian said communication with the Supreme Leader has become 'very difficult at the moment,' amid reports of a rift between Iran's top leadership.
- When
- Following Mojtaba Khamenei's succession; he did not appear at his father's funeral ceremonies last month, and Pezeshkian allegedly sought to resign in May.
- Where
- Iran, with developments reported from Tehran.
- Why
- Khamenei was wounded in the US-Israeli strike and has not appeared in public since succeeding his father, fueling speculation about his relations with other top officials.
Pezeshkian's Defense
Channel 14 Reports
Supreme Leader's role
Pezeshkian's Defense
Pezeshkian says Mojtaba Khamenei is 'a very great source of strength' who continues to play an important role in Iran's retaliation despite his public absence.
Channel 14 Reports
Reports claim Khamenei has issued a 'final ultimatum' to the president and is fully aligned with Iran's military establishment, leaving the president limited room to influence strategic policymaking.
President's standing
Pezeshkian's Defense
Pezeshkian insists he held productive meetings with Khamenei and was met with 'kindness and very sound logic,' blaming 'malicious people' for presenting a different image of the leader.
Channel 14 Reports
Channel 14 reports Khamenei has stripped Pezeshkian of his primary political leverage by refusing to discourage another resignation attempt; Pezeshkian allegedly sought to resign in May after being 'entirely sidelined.'
- President of Iran
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- Supreme Leader
- Mojtaba Khamenei
- Supreme Leader's age
- 56
- Predecessor
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (killed in US-Israeli strike)
- Key statement
- "It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment"
- Rift report source
- Israeli broadcaster Channel 14
- IRGC commander backed
- Ahmad Vahidi
- Alleged resignation attempt
- May
