Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that communicating with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "very difficult", as the latter continues to remain out of public view after succeeding his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his death.
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Pezeshkian's remarks came after US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz was likely to reopen in a day or two.
Mojtaba Khamenei was also reportedly wounded in the strikes that killed the longest-serving Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the new Supreme Leader is in "bad shape".
"It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us so that we can continue," Pezeshkian said.
While Mojtaba Khamenei has continued to issue written statements, his absence from public view during Iran's conflict with the United States has fuelled speculation about his ties with other senior officials.
He notably did not appear at his father's funeral ceremonies last month.
Pezeshkian, however, defended the Supreme Leader, saying he had held productive meetings with him and had been met with "kindness and very sound logic".
"Unfortunately, the current situation allows some malicious people to describe him differently and to present a different image of him," he said.
However, recent reports suggest that Pezeshkian is at odds with Mojtaba Khamenei, with the Supreme Leader reportedly issuing a "final ultimatum" that "any future resignation will be accepted."
