Iran’s unseen supreme leader becomes weapon in escalating power struggle, experts say

Iran’s political factions are using Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s authority to attack opponents and consolidate power, despite uncertainty over his active governance. Conflicting reports from Iran International allege President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to resign and had a brief, ambiguous meeting with Khamenei, which Pezeshkian’s office denies. Experts describe the situation as a power struggle within an 'oligarchic mafia system' driven by economic and political interests.