Growing uncertainty is spreading inside Iran as questions intensify over whether Mojtaba Khamenei, the country’s new supreme leader, is even alive after months without any verified public appearance, voice recording, or recent image.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal citing both American and Iranian sources, Mojtaba Khamenei was seriously wounded during an airstrike in February that reportedly killed his wife, son, and father, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Since that attack, Iranians reportedly have neither seen nor heard directly from the new leader. The only communications attributed to him have been written statements and photographs that many observers believe may have been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence.

The silence has fueled speculation throughout the country, including among supporters of the regime itself.

Several hardline backers of the Islamic regime have taken to social media in recent weeks urging Khamenei to release at least an audio message publicly voicing support for the ongoing negotiations with the United States.

The prolonged absence of Iran’s new ruler has become especially troubling for hardline loyalists who already distrust the regime’s diplomatic contacts with Washington.

Arash Azizi, a Yale University historian and Iran specialist who has reportedly monitored online discussions among regime supporters, said many of them are openly disturbed by the situation.

“They’re wondering where he is,” Azizi said regarding Mojtaba Khamenei. “They are shocked by what they are seeing. They see the team negotiating, and in their view the team is giving away too many concessions to the United States.”

Iranian authorities have not released any recent verified photographs of Khamenei. Reports say even the official images appearing on propaganda billboards throughout Tehran and on his X account profile appear heavily manipulated or artificially generated.

The absence of even a simple audio recording has further intensified rumors.

In the past, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei occasionally released voice messages during periods of heightened security concerns in order to reassure supporters and demonstrate that he remained in control.

This time, however, nothing comparable has been issued, leading many Iranians to openly question whether Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive.

Iranian officials have attempted to explain the silence by claiming security concerns are preventing the release of audio or video footage.

“The enemy is trying, through various excuses, to obtain audio or video recordings of him in order to misuse them,” said Mazaher Hosseini, a senior official in the office of Iran’s supreme leader, in a video distributed by Nour News, which is affiliated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

“At the appropriate time, he himself will speak to all of you,” Hosseini added.