What Is Happening In Iran?

The visit usually comes first in these weekly postings. When I put something before the visit it means that it is especially important.

Considering what we saw last week in the posting "Islam's Colorful Shiites", can you see what is happening in Iran? The world is mystified by what has happened to the Supreme Leader. He hasn't been seen, or known to have communicated directly with anyone, in months since his father was killed and he took over as Supreme Leader.

The predominant religion in Iran is that of the "Twelver" Shiites. The belief is that there were twelve divine leaders, known as Imams. The twelfth leader will appear as the Mahdi, the Islamic messianic figure, but is now in a state of occulation, not in contact with his followers, since his father was killed.

The unmistakable implication is that the hidden Supreme Leader of Iran is, if not actually the Mahdi, then closely enough associated with him that his life takes a parallel course.

The outside world doesn't seem to recognize this and presumes that he is hidden because he was seriously injured in the airstrike that killed his father.

For more about the Mahdi see "The Far-Reaching Legacy Of Charles Manson ", June 2025.