Iranian ambassador to Uzbekistan denies rumors of Supreme Leader seeking medical care in Moscow

The leadership transition in Iran followed a significant attack on February 28, which resulted in the deaths of the previous Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several members of his family. In early March, the Assembly of Experts announced 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, who maintains close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as the new leader of Iran’s theocratic system. However, his absence from public view and televised broadcasts for over a month led to widespread speculation.

Responding to a query from a Kun.uz journalist regarding reports that the new leader was wounded in the February 28 attack and sought treatment in Russia, Ambassador Iskandari emphasized that the leader remains among the people.

"Our Supreme Leader is alive, in good health, and is fulfilling his official duties. He is with the people, leading society, heading the army, and making vital political decisions," Mohammad Ali Iskandari stated.

The ambassador argued that the stability of Iran’s system distinguishes it from other nations. He noted that despite the intensity of the conflict, there has been no mass exodus of citizens or officials. Addressing the prevalence of rumors, the diplomat suggested that such reports are strategically designed to project an image of Iranian weakness and to locate the leader's exact position.

"The goal of these reports is to weaken us and create the impression that Iran is surrendering. Another objective is to determine where the leader is. I can say that the Supreme Leader is within the country, continuing the same policies as his predecessor. We possess strength, and this power will only increase in the future," the ambassador noted.

During the briefing, Iskandari also expressed a firm ideological stance on the ongoing regional tensions, stating that for Iranians, the only two outcomes are victory or martyrdom. He further warned that the United States and Israel would not stop their regional activities and would continue to target other nations, while describing members of the Trump administration as unfit for their official roles.