Iranian President Admits: Communication with Supreme Leader Is

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, that communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "very difficult at this moment." The statement, aired on television, is one of the few official comments on the condition of the Supreme Leader, who has not appeared in public since his appointment in March this year.

"It is very difficult to communicate with him at this time, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us to continue," Pezeshkian said. Khamenei, who was previously wounded in an American-Israeli attack, has communicated exclusively through written statements attributed to him since taking office.

Speculation Grows Over Absence from Public Eye

The new Supreme Leader's discretion, especially while Iran is in conflict with the United States, has fueled numerous speculations about his relations with other senior officials and his health. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that he did not appear at his father's funeral ceremonies in July, further intensifying rumors.

Pezeshkian, however, firmly defended Khamenei. He emphasized that he had held productive meetings with him and was received with "kindness and very sound logic." "Unfortunately, the current situation allows some ill-intentioned people to describe him differently and to present a different image of him," the president added. "His presence, despite everything, represents a great advantage for us, allowing us to continue."

Repression Continues Unabated

While uncertainty persists at the top of the political hierarchy, internal repression in Iran shows no signs of easing. According to data from the non-governmental organization Iran Human Rights, 886 executions have been recorded in the country since the start of the year. A resident of Isfahan described the scale of the situation to France Info: "There are up to two executions a day, every morning, at the time of the call to prayer."

She added that the situation has drastically worsened since the beginning of the conflict: "Since the war started, things have been getting worse. There have always been executions, but never to this extent. The sentences for political prisoners are unjust because they don't have lawyers."

Last month, in a written statement bearing his name, Khamenei threatened the United States with "unforgettable lessons" following continued attacks on Iran, but his physical absence from the public scene continues to dominate discussions about the stability of Iran's leadership.