Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei flown to Russia for surgery

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, has not been seen publicly following reports that he was injured during joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran.

The 59-year-old leader’s absence from the Al‑Quds Day rally, despite the presence of other senior Iranian officials, has fueled speculation about his condition.

Recent reports claim that Khamenei was secretly transferred to Moscow, Russia, after sustaining serious injuries in the airstrikes. According to the Kuwaiti media outlet Al-Jarida, he was moved abroad for surgery due to health and security concerns.

“He has successfully undergone surgery and is currently recovering at a hospital inside the presidential compound,” the outlet reported, citing a senior Iranian official.

The report further states that Khamenei travelled to Moscow on March 12, 2026, aboard a Russian military aircraft after a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Sources familiar with Iran’s leadership reportedly said the transfer was proposed by Putin.

Iranian intelligence officials were said to have approved the move amid fears that hospitals inside Iran could become targets for potential Israeli attacks.

Earlier, the British newspaper The Guardian also reported claims that Khamenei had fallen into a coma and was being secretly treated in a hospital.

However, neither Iran nor Russia has officially commented on the reports regarding Khamenei’s condition or whereabouts.