It is “not at all surprising” that Iran’s new supreme leader has not yet made a public appearance, says a former MI6 chief.
Mojtaba Khamenei was “clearly injured” in an attack two weeks and he is mourning his family, Sir John Scarlett tells Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.
“My understanding from what I hear… is that he was injured, but it wasn’t life-threatening and that he will recover and he will reappear.”
Donald Trump yesterday speculated Khamenei may be dead – something Iran’s foreign minister denied this morning.
“You have to also remember that there is a tradition of a 40-day mourning period,” says Scarlett.
“If you’d lost your father and your mother and your wife – at least – in that attack, as well as being injured yourself, it wouldn’t be surprising that he’s sticking to the 40-day mourning period – with a regime that follows those rules very strictly.”
The 40-day rule is a tradition in various religions and cultures, including Islam.
Should it be followed, we would not expect to see Khamenei before 9 April.
“He’s got a reason, or an excuse anyway, for not appearing,” Scarlett says.
“That doesn’t mean to say he’s not active behind the scenes, and he’s not taking decisions and he’s not directing policy.”