Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that he had met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been absent from the public stage since his appointment on March 9. Pezeshkian did not specify when the meeting took place, but described the supreme leader's vision and approach as humble and sincere.

The supreme leader, 56, was appointed by Iran's Assembly of Experts after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in strikes on the first day of the Middle East war. Since then, Mojtaba Khamenei has only released written statements, sparking speculation about his public absence.

Ali Khamenei, who led the Islamic republic for over three decades, was succeeded by his son after his death. The new supreme leader's appointment was announced on March 9, and his portraits have become ubiquitous in Iran's streets.

The Iranian government has not commented on the supreme leader's public absence, but the meeting with President Pezeshkian may indicate a shift in his public engagement. The president's office will likely provide further updates on the meeting and its implications, while the supreme leader's next public move is being closely watched by Iranian citizens and international observers. The Iranian government is expected to address the supreme leader's public absence and his plans for the country in the coming days.