Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since assuming office, prompting speculation about his health and whereabouts. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Khamenei was seriously injured in a February 28 attack and placed in intensive care, a claim echoed by some Western media. Tehran denied these reports but did not clarify his exact location.

Amid growing rumors, several outlets reported that Khamenei was receiving treatment in Moscow under Russian President Vladimir Putin’s supervision and had sent messages to the Iraqi people and during Nowruz from an undisclosed location. Both statements were read on state media by another person.

In a recent interview with RTVI, Russian Ambassador to Tehran Alexey Dedov stated that Khamenei remains in Iran. He said the leader’s absence from public view is due to security reasons and that Iranian authorities have repeatedly affirmed his presence in the country. Dedov emphasized that Khamenei is staying in a secure location away from hostile threats.