Is Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Recovering In Russia After Putin Spoke To Pezeshkian?

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 12:24 IST

Mojtaba Khamenei was moved to Moscow after Putin "personally offered" medical treatment to Iranian Prez Pezeshkian, says Al-Jarida report. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied

Is Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, recovering in Russia?

According to a report in Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, Khamenei has been transferred to Russia for medical treatment after he was severely injured in the US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father on February 28. Russia, however, has refused to either confirm or deny the report.

What Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida said about Mojtaba Khamenei

Several reports have suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei is seriously wounded, possibly in a coma, although none of the claims have been officially confirmed. The Al-Jarida report claims the injuries Khamenei sustained during the initial strikes required treatment at a well-equipped medical facility and constant monitoring that could not be guaranteed in Iran while air strikes continued.

The 56-year-old cleric was moved to Moscow after Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally offered" medical treatment to Khamenei during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a report by Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida.

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Khamenei was flown to Moscow in a Russian military plane on Thursday after Putin’s call, the report claimed.

According to the report, the transfer was conducted as part of a highly classified operation due to concerns about his health and security.

Al-Jarida cited a senior source close to the Iranian leadership who said the new Supreme Leader underwent surgery after arriving in Moscow. He is reportedly recovering in a private medical facility located within one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences.

Another factor cited was the risk of Israeli attempts to target the new Supreme Leader. The report also said Iranian authorities were concerned that leaks about doctors involved in his treatment could reveal his location.

What is Russia’s response?

Talking to the Tass news agency, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, “We never comment on such reports."

Different reports about Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition

The Sun reported earlier that Mojtaba Khamenei was being treated inside Iran at Sina University Hospital and was under the care of Iran’s Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi.

According to the report, “The new supreme leader’s one or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well."

Another earlier report by Al-Jarida claimed that Khamenei was injured along the left side of his body after debris fell near him during US and Israeli strikes.

First public message led to questions

Speculation about Khamenei’s health increased after doubts emerged over his first public statement since becoming Supreme Leader.

According to an Iranian source close to reformists cited by Al-Jarida, there are concerns that the statement attributed to Khamenei may not have been written by him.

The source suggested it could have been drafted by Ali Larijani, secretary general of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, because the language closely resembled remarks he had previously made.

The absence of any audio recording of the statement has further fuelled suspicions.

What Trump and Netanyahu said

US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the uncertainty surrounding the Iranian leader’s condition. Speaking to NBC News, Trump said there was no confirmation about whether Khamenei was alive.

“I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him," Trump said.

The president described reports about Khamenei’s death as rumours but added that he had heard similar claims.

“I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender."

The United States also announced a reward of 10 million dollars for information about Iran’s new Supreme Leader and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested that Israel has intelligence about Khamenei’s location.

“I will not provide him with life insurance," Netanyahu said when asked about the Iranian leader, according to RBC Ukraine.

No contact with commanders

Reports from inside Iran suggest that many military commanders have not received instructions from the country’s new leader.

An Iranian official told The Telegraph that even senior officials remain uncertain about Khamenei’s condition.

“No one knows anything about Mojtaba, whether he is alive or dead or how badly injured. We are all just told that he’s injured. He has no control over the war because he is not here. The majority of commanders, or more correctly, all commanders, have no news about him."

With agency inputs

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