Iranian leader secretly in Russia for medical care at Putin's residence — media
Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei (photo: Getty Images)
Iran's new supreme leader is in Moscow, needing surgery following the US and Israeli strikes. He is currently receiving treatment at one of the Kremlin head's residences, according to AJ Jariba.
A high-ranking source close to Iran's new supreme leader reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was flown to Moscow on a Russian military plane as part of a highly classified operation due to his health and security concerns.
Upon arrival in the Russian capital, Khamenei underwent surgery and is now recovering in a private medical facility within one of President Vladimir Putin's residences.
Why hospitalization in Moscow was necessary
The source said that injuries Mojtaba sustained during the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 required hospitalization in a fully equipped facility, close medical supervision, and special monitoring — services that could not be guaranteed in Iran amid ongoing bombardment, especially after Israel announced plans to target the new supreme leader.
Iranian security services were concerned about leaks regarding the new supreme leader's whereabouts, as doctors and specialists involved in his treatment were being tracked. For this reason, treatment in Russia was approved.
Who suggested treatment in Russia
The report revealed that Vladimir Putin personally proposed treating Mojtaba in Russia during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last Thursday, March 12.
Iranian officials, including Khamenei himself, carefully reviewed the Russian offer, which was approved. Then, he was transported to Moscow, where Russian doctors, assisted by a team of Iranian physicians, provided medical care.
Is Mojtaba address to nation fake?
An Iranian source close to reformists told AJ Jariba that there are serious doubts that Mojtaba actually issued his first public message. There are suspicions that it was authored by Ali Larijani, secretary-general of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as it closely matches several statements he made prior to Mojtaba's supposed address.
According to this source, Mojtaba was not even informed about the planned meeting. His absence from public view and the lack of an audio recording of the speech reinforce these doubts.
Other notable facts about Iran's new supreme leader
On March 12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that Israel has information on Mojtaba's location and condition but does not wish to disclose it.
"I will not provide him with life insurance," he said, which many interpreted as an indication that Tel Aviv has specific intelligence on Iran's new supreme leader.
Meanwhile, sources in Jerusalem suggest that, according to Israeli intelligence estimates, Mojtaba's injuries may be more serious than initially thought. They also note that Tel Aviv lacks verified information about his departure from Iran.
Earlier, AJ Jariba reported that Mojtaba was injured on the left side of his body, from head to foot, after debris fell near him — not directly on him — during strikes targeting a complex that includes the supreme leader's office in Tehran.
US hunts Khamenei
On March 13, the United States announced a $10 million reward for information on Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
At the same time, US President Donald Trump expressed doubts that Khamenei's son is still alive, citing the fact that he did not appear on camera on Thursday, March 12, as the reason for his suspicion.
