An unsettling mystery is unfolding at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership, as U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies race to answer a question few expected to ask: Who is really in charge in Tehran?

According to a report from Axios, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Israel’s Mossad, and other intelligence bodies are actively searching for signs of life—and leadership—from Mojtaba Khamenei, who was declared Iran’s new supreme leader following the assassination of his father.

Yet days into his supposed rule, Khamenei has not been seen in public.

The absence is raising questions across intelligence circles. Agencies had anticipated a traditional Nowruz video address, a hallmark of Iran’s leadership meant to project authority and continuity. Instead, only a written statement was released.

“We have no evidence that he is really the one giving orders,” a senior Israeli official said, casting doubt on whether Khamenei has truly assumed control.

A U.S. official went even further, describing the situation as “beyond weird.”

“We don’t think the Iranians would have gone through all this trouble to choose a dead guy as the supreme leader,” the official said. “But at the same time, we have no proof that he is taking the helm.”

Behind the scenes, intelligence analysts are now dissecting every available clue. The CIA is reportedly working to verify whether images released alongside Khamenei’s Nowruz message are recent or recycled. The lack of visual confirmation has only deepened suspicions.

Adding to the intrigue, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian did release a video message marking the holiday, underscoring the glaring absence of the country’s supposed top authority.

“We would have expected to see Mojtaba too in some form,” the U.S. official noted. “He didn’t take advantage of the opportunity and tradition. It’s a big red flag.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)