Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly unconscious and getting treated in the city of Qom, according to a new report.
Citing a diplomatic memo allegedly based on American and Israeli intelligence, British outlet The Times detailed that Khamenei has a "severe" medical condition and is unable to be involved in any decision making in the regime.
Qom is located almost 90 miles south of Tehran and considered sacred in Shia Islam. His father, longtime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is being prepared for burial in the same city, with preparations ongoing to build a "large mausoleum."
Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen or heard since the attack that began the war and killed his father on February 28, and observers have speculated over his whereabouts ever since. His only alleged communications have been two statements attributed to him.
Another report has detailed a lack of cohesion in Iranian leadership over the prosecution of the war. Iran International detailed that President Masoud Pezeshkian is clashing with top officials at the revolutionary guard, saying they are conducting unilateral actions that are undermining any chances of a ceasefire.
Citing people present in the meeting, the outlet added that the conversation between Pezeshkian and ossein Taeb, a figure close to Khamenei, was unusually difficult and highly charged. There the president said IRGC chief commander Ahmad Vahidi and Ali Abdollahi, another top commander, of escalating unilaterally through attacks on regional countries.
He went on to say that the attacks were destroying any chances of a ceasefire and driving the regime to a "huge catastrophe." He added that, under current conditions, a full economic collapse is inevitable if the war continues during a prolonged time.
Regardless of the clashes, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues its escalation, most recently warning that it will deprive the U.S. and its allies of oil and gas "for years to come" if Washington crosses its "red lines."
In a statement published on state television, the entity added that if the "American terrorist army crosses the red lines, our response will go beyond the region."
It is unclear which are the IRCG's red lines, as hostilities continue to escalate in the meantime. A U.S. official said on Tuesday that the country's military conducted strikes on Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil exports.
President Donald Trump is also escalating threats, most recently saying a "whole civilization will die tonight" if the Iranian regime fails to reach a deal by the deadline he has given and is set to expire on Tuesday.
