Iranian president says communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba 'very difficult at moment'

TEHRAN - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday communication with Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is very "difficult at the moment," but his presence is a "great strength" for the country to continue its path.

The United States and Israel killed Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Feb 28 out of "desperation," expecting Iran to collapse after the "brutal" action, Pezeshkian said in an interview published on the website of his office.

"However, the country continued, and our (new) beloved leader was selected," he said. "Our new dear leader's presence is a very great strength for us to be able to continue this path, although communication with him is very difficult at the moment."

He said Iran is facing its "most difficult" circumstances, citing intensified banking sanctions, curbs on foreign transactions, a naval blockade, and an ongoing war.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, was selected as Iran's new supreme leader by the country's Assembly of Experts in early March.