Where is Mojtaba Khamenei? His disappearance is hindering the US-Iran agreement
The whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei and his influence on the negotiations remain shrouded in mystery
In a significant development that could alter the course of events in the Middle East, US intelligence reports have revealed a severe communication crisis within the Iranian leadership. According to CBS News, the Iranian Supreme Leader and Revolutionary Guard officials are facing an unprecedented challenge: the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a highly influential figure in Iranian decision-making circles. Sources confirmed that senior Iranian negotiators are unaware of his current location, leading to a partial paralysis in making crucial decisions.
This incident is particularly significant given the political background of Mojtaba Khamenei, widely considered a leading candidate to succeed his father, and his close and deep ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia. US intelligence has indicated that the only available means of communication with him are currently through couriers and handwritten correspondence, reflecting a high level of security precautions, but also threatening to delay the announcement of any anticipated agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The 7-day deadline and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
On the diplomatic front, events are unfolding rapidly. Fox News quoted a senior US official as saying that Tehran has given initial approval to a new framework agreement. Given this development, US President Donald Trump is expected to grant the Iranian leadership a seven-day deadline to draft a final agreement acceptable to both sides. Meanwhile, The New York Times reported signs of a preliminary agreement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring safe navigation through it.
Historically and economically, the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important strategic waterways, through which one-fifth of the world's oil consumption passes. Therefore, any agreement guaranteeing the stability of navigation in this strait would have an immediate positive impact on the stability of global energy prices and would directly benefit the international economy, which has suffered sharp fluctuations due to geopolitical tensions in the region.
Postponing the Iranian nuclear file: Technical and political complexities
Amid these rapid negotiations, a decisive statement emerged from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who affirmed the impossibility of reaching a comprehensive agreement encompassing the Iranian nuclear program within 72 hours. Rubio clarified that the current focus of the US administration is on ending the state of war and tension in the Middle East, indicating that the initial understanding would not include a final settlement regarding the nuclear program.
To justify this separation between the regional de-escalation track and the nuclear issue, Rubio told The New York Times that the nuclear talks involve “highly technical” details. This stems from the complications that have accumulated since Washington withdrew from the nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018, and Tehran’s subsequent increase in uranium enrichment levels to advanced stages. Rubio emphasized that Washington is not avoiding the issue, but rather recognizes that it requires more time to resolve fundamentally.
The US Secretary of State emphasized his country's unwavering strategic position of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon in any form, while preferring to achieve this goal through diplomatic channels. He concluded by noting broad regional support, stating that seven or eight countries in the region endorse this new US approach, thus enhancing the prospects for success in efforts to establish long-term stability in the Middle East.
