Khaberni - Speculations about the health status of the new Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei and his whereabouts are escalating. While media reports indicated that he was transported to Russia to receive medical treatment after being injured during the American and Israeli strikes in the early days of the war, the Kremlin has maintained silence regarding the circulating reports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today (Monday) that he will not comment on recent reports claiming that the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, has arrived in Moscow for medical treatment, amid statements by the U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Higgsith, that he is «injured» and «likely disfigured».
Among narratives that indicate he has fallen into a coma and suffered serious injuries, and others that speak of him surviving despite physical deformities, the fate of the man who succeeded his father in leading Iran remains surrounded by a great deal of mystery, amid a wide disparity in the information circulated from media sources and intelligence leaks.
Secret transfer to Moscow for treatment
Kuwaiti newspaper «Al-Jarida» reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was transported to Moscow on a Russian military aircraft to receive treatment after being injured during the initial strikes of the war.
According to the report – which was not confirmed by Moscow or Tehran – his injuries necessitated his transfer to an advanced medical facility in the Russian capital, where he underwent surgery in a medical center connected to one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s headquarters, and is currently undergoing a recovery period.
The newspaper quoted a source described as «high-level and close to the new Iranian leader» stating that the Iranian security forces feared disclosing his location if treated inside Iran, especially by tracking specialized doctors, which led them to agree to his transfer to Russia.
The source also claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally proposed hosting Khamenei for treatment during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Bazshkian last week.
Severe injuries and loss of leg
In contrast, Western media reports indicated that the new Iranian leader suffered severe injuries during the air strikes targeting Iranian sites in the early days of the war.
British newspaper «The Sun» reported that Khamenei lost at least one leg, in addition to sustaining serious damage to the abdomen or liver.
It is unclear whether his injuries occurred in the same attack that killed his father, the previous leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, or in a subsequent strike.
Other reports mentioned that his health condition necessitated his placement in intensive care under strict surveillance.
Reports of a coma and unawareness of the war
In related news, «Daily Mail» reported that Mojtaba Khamenei is in a coma and is not even aware that a war is taking place in his country or that he has become the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Reports also mentioned that Ibn Sina University Hospital was largely closed for security reasons when Khamenei was receiving treatment there before reports of his transfer abroad emerged.
Leaks also mentioned the possibility of the amputation of one of his legs, in addition to serious injuries to the abdomen and liver.
Skepticism regarding the first official speech and ambiguity of Tel Aviv
An Iranian source close to the reformist movement indicated widespread doubts about the legitimacy and accuracy of the first speech attributed to the new leader, suggesting it was crafted by Ali Larijani, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security, due to the lack of public appearances or any audio recording of Mojtaba Khamenei since taking office.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv refuses to disclose the intelligence information it possesses regarding the condition of Khamenei's son.
In an ambiguous response to a question on this matter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu simply stated: «I will not provide him with life insurance», implying indirectly that Israel is tracking the movements of the Iranian leadership amid the ongoing war.
Conflicting intelligence information
Statements from officials and intelligence leaks paint a very obscure picture regarding the true situation of the new Iranian leader.
While the U.S. Secretary of War confirmed that Khamenei is «alive but injured and possibly suffering severe deformities», other reports mentioned that he is in a relatively stable health condition after the injury.
Western media also quoted an Iranian official stating that the Revolutionary Guard leaders have not received any direct instructions from the new leader since the beginning of the war, enhancing doubts about his ability to manage the state during this critical stage.
A stern statement raises doubts
In an attempt to reassure the domestic Iranian audience, the official television broadcast a statement attributed to the new leader, pledging to continue attacks and respond to Iran's adversaries, hinting at closing the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the statement, read by a news anchor and not shown personally by Khamenei, led analysts to believe that the text might have been drafted by leaders in the Revolutionary Guard, given the uncertainty surrounding his health status and whereabouts.
A mystery surrounds the leader of Iran
As the war enters its third week, the fundamental questions remain without clear answers:
Is Mojtaba Khamenei indeed receiving treatment in Russia?
And is he capable of performing his duties as the Supreme Leader of Iran?
So far, all narratives remain within the realm of unconfirmed reports, while the mystery continues around the man who is supposed to be leading Iran during one of its most critical phases.
