Iranian envoy denies reports of supreme leader being treated in Moscow

Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, has denied media reports claiming that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is undergoing medical treatment in Moscow.

In a statement posted on X, Jalali criticised what he called “psychological warfare” by Western and Persian-language media, per Caliber.Az.

“The habit of lying does not leave a liar, but an Iranian proverb says a liar has a short memory and is forgetful. Today, Western and Persian-language media created a scandal. Earlier reports claimed the martyr Khamenei had fled to Venezuela and Russia; today, news of the Supreme Leader being moved to Russia for treatment is another attempt at psychological warfare,” Jalali posted.

He added: "Iranian leaders do not need to flee or hide in bunkers; their place is on the streets among the people. The blood of the martyr Khamenei nullifies the magic of psychological warfare and the stream of lies."

An earlier report had claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei was secretly flown to Moscow by a Russian military aircraft for health and security reasons. The ambassador’s statement strongly refutes these reports, emphasising that Iran’s leadership remains present among the population.

By Khagan Isayev