Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly held talks with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, with the discussions centred on Iran’s military and economic situation as the country faces continued pressure from the ongoing US-Israeli war.
The meeting took place days after Israeli media reports claimed that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”. Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported on Sunday that the talks focused on military developments, economic challenges and steps to meet the needs of the Iranian population.
Military Situation, Economy On Agenda
According to Press TV, Pezeshkian and Khamenei discussed the immediate needs of the Iranian people, the prevailing circumstances in the conflict and its possible future course.
The two leaders also reviewed developments on the military front and considered measures to ensure the availability of resources while controlling government expenditure.
The discussions reportedly included the management of the rial, foreign currency and energy-related spending. They also considered ways to expand Iran’s economic cooperation and engagement with foreign partners, the broadcaster said.
The meeting was separately reported by the Farsi-language X account attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei.
“In this meeting, detailed discussions were held on the country’s issues and problems, particularly the provision of the people’s livelihood needs, the current conditions of the third imposed war and the future ahead, developments in the military domain, solutions regarding the provision of resources and management of expenditures — “rial, foreign currency, and energy” — as well as economic interactions with foreign parties,” part of the post read.
Meeting Follows Reports About Health
The reported talks came as speculation intensified over Khamenei’s health and his prolonged absence from public view.
On Sunday, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency released an undated video in which the Supreme Leader appeared to be in good health. The footage was published after Israeli media reports alleged that Khamenei was seriously ill and had been moved to a hospital.
Israeli Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, reported on Friday that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”. The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources said to be close to Pezeshkian’s administration, also reported that concerns about the Supreme Leader’s health had emerged within Iran’s leadership.
However, the undated nature of the video meant that it did not independently establish Khamenei’s current condition, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Pezeshkian Begins Third Year
The meeting reportedly took place around the time Pezeshkian entered the third year of his presidency.
Pezeshkian won Iran’s presidential election on July 5, 2024, and was elected on July 6. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei formally endorsed his presidency on July 28, after which Pezeshkian took the oath of office on July 30.
He became president several months after his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash.
No Public Appearance Since Taking Office
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
Since taking over the position, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly. Instead, he has issued written statements and communicated through official channels.
The reported meeting with Pezeshkian is therefore significant, although Iranian authorities have not publicly disclosed when or where it took place.