The internal struggle surfaced in two reports published by Iran International concerning Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's relationship with the new supreme leader. The report alleged that the president later questioned whether the voice he heard had actually belonged to the supreme leader. Under Ali Khamenei, Aarabi said, the supreme leader functioned as the system's "godfather," arbitrating among rival Islamist factions and guaranteeing their access to power and money. Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in any publicly released video or audio recording since succeeding his father, according to Iran International. Original article source: Iran's unseen supreme leader becomes weapon in escalating power struggle, experts say