Unverified Reports Suggest Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Underwent Surgery in Moscow
Speculations Surrounding Khamenei's Health
Recent rumors have emerged online claiming that Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran, was secretly transported to Moscow for surgery after sustaining injuries from recent airstrikes conducted by the US and Israel. However, there has been no official confirmation from either Iranian or Russian officials regarding these claims. The speculation originated from a report by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, which alleged that Khamenei was flown to Russia on a military aircraft for medical treatment, an operation reportedly offered personally by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The article cited a 'high-ranking source' close to Khamenei, stating that the evacuation was executed under strict secrecy and that he underwent a 'successful' leg surgery at a medical facility within one of Putin's presidential residences. This report remains unverified, and no official statements have confirmed Khamenei's departure from Iran for treatment.
Earlier reports indicated that Khamenei might have been receiving medical care within Iran due to injuries sustained amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The uncertainty surrounding Khamenei's health has grown, particularly since he has not made any public appearances since his appointment as supreme leader. Iran announced earlier this week that he succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial phase of the conflict following coordinated strikes by the US and Israel. In a written statement released on Thursday, Mojtaba Khamenei pledged to continue efforts to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and to maintain attacks against US allies in the region. However, the absence of video or public appearances has raised questions among international officials.
In a recent interview, US President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about Khamenei's status, stating, 'I don't know if he's even alive. So far, nobody's been able to show him.' Trump further commented, 'I'm hearing he's not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that's surrender.'
Trump also questioned the reasoning behind Khamenei's choice to issue a written statement instead of appearing publicly, noting, 'Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement?' US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked that Khamenei had been injured and was 'likely disfigured,' describing the written message attributed to him as 'a weak one.' He added, 'His father: dead; he's scared, he's injured, he's on the run, and he lacks legitimacy.'
Israeli media have also reported on Khamenei's condition, with the newspaper The Jerusalem Post citing internal assessments that suggest he was wounded during the conflict but remains capable of fulfilling his duties as Iran's supreme leader. Iranian state television acknowledged earlier this week that Khamenei had been injured, referring to him as 'Jaanbaz of Ramadan,' a Persian term for an injured war veteran. However, the broadcast did not provide specifics about the nature or severity of his injuries, nor did it clarify whether these injuries impacted his ability to perform the responsibilities of his high office. As it stands, the claims regarding Khamenei's surgery in Moscow remain unverified, and his current location has not been publicly confirmed.