With Khamenei absent for days, Iranian officials fiercely compete for control of power

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not been seen in public for over a week, triggering speculation and unrest within the Islamic Republic’s leadership. According to a New York Times report, Khamenei is believed to be sheltering in a fortified bunker due to fears of assassination, even after a ceasefire was declared two days ago.

His prolonged absence has intensified a quiet but fierce struggle among top Iranian officials, each vying for influence in a volatile political vacuum.

Among those reportedly seeking to consolidate power is President Ebrahim Raisi, now emerging as a leading figure in the unfolding succession drama. Sources suggest that factions within the regime are maneuvering behind the scenes to position themselves for a potential leadership transition.

As Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei remains out of sight for more than a week, internal power struggles are erupting at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership. One camp, led by veteran hardliner Saeed Jalili, is fiercely challenging the approach of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Backed by senior figures in the Revolutionary Guard and a conservative-dominated parliament, Jalili’s bloc has denounced the recent ceasefire as illegitimate and fiercely opposes any revival of nuclear talks. According to The New York Times, Jalili’s supporters view diplomacy as defeat, and have even begun publicly questioning the president’s authority.

While political factions maneuver behind closed doors, Iran’s security apparatus is cracking down hard on the streets. In the wake of Israel’s June 13 strikes, authorities have launched mass arrests and bolstered military presence, particularly in Kurdish regions long viewed as restive. Revolutionary Guard and Basij units have been placed on high alert, and security checkpoints have multiplied in major cities. “Internal security is now the primary focus,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters, as the regime scrambles to maintain control in the face of growing uncertainty.