Tehran: Nearly two months after the strike that reshaped the Middle East, new details have surfaced regarding the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. While the 56-year-old leader has remained a phantom to the public since his father's death, a recent investigation by The New York Times reveals he is "gravely wounded" yet "mentally sharp," ruling from a secure, undisclosed location through a primitive but effective chain of command.

According to four senior Iranian officials, Mojtaba Khamenei is currently waiting for a prosthetic leg after undergoing three separate surgeries on his leg.

He also had surgery on one of his hands, which is healing very slowly. Even more challenging for his public role are the severe burns he suffered on his face and lips. These injuries make it very difficult and painful for him to speak, and he will eventually need plastic surgery to fix the damage.

Even though he is in physical pain, those close to him say he is still fully in control of the government. However, because he is injured and healing, he refuses to appear on camera or use a microphone.

To keep his location a secret from U.S. and Israeli intelligence, the leader has stopped using all phones and computers. Instead, the Iranian government is being run through a "human chain" of messengers. These trusted couriers ride motorcycles and cars through backroads to deliver handwritten notes to and from the leader. This way, there is no electronic signal for enemies to track.

The security around him is very strict. While Iran’s President, who is a doctor, stays by his side to help with his care, top military generals are staying away. They are worried that if they visit him, foreign spies might follow them and find out exactly where the Supreme Leader is housed.