Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently in Moscow, where he is undergoing medical treatment after US and Israeli strikes.
AJ Jariba reported this. According to a senior official close to Iran’s new leader, Khamenei was transported to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft as part of a secret operation. The reason was both his health condition and concerns about his security. After arriving in Russia, Khamenei reportedly underwent surgery. He is now receiving treatment at a private hospital located near the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Background of the hospitalization
Khamenei was injured on February 28 during the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to the source, it was impossible to ensure safe hospitalization conditions for the Supreme Leader inside Iran. One of the main obstacles was the concern that Israel intends to continue targeting the new leader.
Iranian security services also became alarmed by leaks about Khamenei’s location. Specialists who could potentially treat him were reportedly being targeted as well. As a result, Iranian officials decided to move the leader to Moscow for treatment.
The outlet writes that Putin personally proposed treating Khamenei in Russia. He reportedly made the offer during a conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last Thursday. Iranian officials, including Khamenei, accepted the proposal. Later that evening, he was transported to Moscow and received medical assistance from both Russian and Iranian doctors accompanying him.
Doubts over Khamenei’s message
Another source from Iran said there are serious doubts that the first message attributed to Khamenei’s son was genuine. There are suspicions that Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, could have written it. The text reportedly mirrors several statements he had made earlier.
According to the source, Mojtaba Khamenei himself may not even have known about the upcoming meeting mentioned in the message. The fact that he has not appeared publicly and that there is no audio recording of the speech has reinforced these suspicions.
Israel’s comments on Khamenei
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that Israel has information about Khamenei’s location and health but does not intend to disclose it.
“I will not provide him with life insurance,” Netanyahu said during a press conference.
The statement got an interpretation as a signal that Tel Aviv possesses specific intelligence regarding the Iranian leader.
Israeli intelligence believes Khamenei’s injuries may be more serious than initially thought. However, Tel Aviv does not have confirmed information that he has already left Iran. On March 4, AJ Jariba reported that Khamenei sustained injuries on the left side of his body, from head to legs. According to the report, shrapnel fell near him rather than directly on him.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Israel had officially informed the United States about a critical shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.
