The Russian government has refused to comment on reports that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was taken to Moscow for emergency surgery. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia was aware of the media coverage but declined to provide any details. The reports, first published by Kuwait’s Al Jarida on March 15, claimed Khamenei was seriously injured in an Israeli attack and flown to Moscow for urgent treatment.

According to Al Jarida, Russian President Vladimir Putin arranged for Khamenei’s transfer aboard a military aircraft, and the operation was conducted at one of Putin’s presidential residences. The report also alleged that the mission to move Khamenei was highly secret. British outlets The Daily Mail and The Sun cited similar claims, including that Khamenei’s legs were severely injured and that he might be in a coma.

The incident follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an Israeli airstrike on February 28, after which Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s new top religious leader. Russia has not confirmed any details of his reported treatment in Moscow.