President Pezeshkian Says Supreme Leader's Presence is Source of Iran's Strength

JAKARTA - President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday said the existence of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is the source of Iran's strength to continue to move forward.

On the other hand, President Pezeshkian admitted that communication with Mojtaba Khamenei "is very difficult at the moment", a situation that he believes is being exploited by those who intend to portray the image of the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a source of great strength for us to continue to move forward," said President Pezeshkian, launching Al Arabiya and AFP (6/8).

It is known that Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in the US-Israeli attack that triggered the war in the Middle East, has not appeared in public since replacing his father who was killed in the attack on February 28.

Mojtaba Khamenei does communicate through written statements, but his rare public appearances - amid Iran's conflict with the United States - have fueled speculation about his relationship with other high-ranking officials.

He was not present at his father's funeral last month.

Nevertheless, President Pezeshkian defended the leader, insisting he had managed to hold a productive meeting with Mojtaba and was greeted with "very good and healthy logic."

"Unfortunately, the current situation allows those with bad intentions to portray it differently and present a false image of him," he said.