כיכר השבת

Khamenei Unreachable as Top Iranian Figures Push for U.S. Talks

According to Iranian outlet IranWire, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is currently “unreachable,” even as senior regime officials push to open direct negotiations with the United States. Former President Hassan Rouhani, MP Ali Larijani, and former Justice Minister Sadeq Larijani are reportedly seeking Khamenei’s blessing to begin talks with Washington—but have been unable to contact him in recent days. A well-placed Iranian source told IranWire that only a “tight inner circle” currently has access to the 86-year-old leader. The report adds that Ali Larijani, a clerical scion and seasoned political operator, is attempting to position himself as a “savior figure” for a post-Khamenei Iran. Still, doubts persist over his legitimacy, given that Khamenei disqualified him twice from presidential bids in the past.