Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Flown To Russia for Lifesaving Surgery’ – Putin

Russia has finally addressed swirling rumours that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was secretly airlifted to Moscow for emergency treatment following serious injuries from Israeli strikes that claimed the life of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

NaijaChoice News gathered from multiple global reports that the 56-year-old Mojtaba, who took over as Iran’s third Supreme Leader after his father’s death in the February 28 US-Israeli airstrikes, was reportedly smuggled out of Tehran under the strictest secrecy.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida broke the story citing a high-ranking source close to the new leader. The source claimed Mojtaba was flown to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft after Russian President Vladimir Putin personally offered medical help during a phone call with Iranian officials.

“The operation was highly secret because of his health and security situation,” the source told Al-Jarida, adding that Mojtaba underwent a successful leg surgery inside one of Putin’s presidential palaces.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov broke Moscow’s silence on Monday when directly asked about the claims during a briefing. He refused to confirm or deny the reports, simply stating: “We do not comment on such reports.”

This comes as fresh speculation rages over whether Mojtaba is even alive. The hardline cleric has not made a single public appearance or live broadcast since assuming power, fuelling “Ghost Ayatollah” theories across social media and international outlets.

United States President Donald Trump openly questioned Mojtaba’s survival in a fresh NBC News interview. “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” Trump said.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also weighed in last Friday, claiming the Iranian leader is “wounded and likely disfigured” from the opening strikes of what Iran calls Operation Epic Fury.

Iranian officials have pushed back hard against the rumours. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted the Supreme Leader remains firmly in control. In a statement shared by state news agency ISNA on X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi declared: “The Leader of the Revolution is in complete health and is fully managing the situation.”

He offered no fresh video or photo evidence to back the claim but added that Tehran is ready to set up a joint committee with regional countries to investigate the recent attacks and identify targets. Araghchi stressed that Iran’s ongoing military operations are aimed solely at US bases and interests, with no civilian or residential areas in neighbouring countries hit so far.

NaijaChoice News notes that Mojtaba’s appointment as Supreme Leader was rushed through by Iran’s Assembly of Experts barely a week after Ali Khamenei’s death. Putin wasted no time sending congratulations and pledging “unwavering support” to the new Iranian leadership.

The dramatic evacuation claims surfaced just days after reports that Iranian hospitals were overwhelmed by war casualties. Unverified sources in Tehran told some outlets that Mojtaba initially received treatment at Sina University Hospital before the secret transfer to Russia.

Iranian state television has repeatedly aired what it calls Mojtaba’s first official statement – read by a news anchor – vowing to “avenge the blood of Iranians” and threatening further strikes, including on Dubai and the Strait of Hormuz. Critics have accused Tehran of using AI-edited images to prove the leader is still active.

The entire saga has sent global oil prices soaring as fears grow over the Strait of Hormuz closure and prolonged conflict in the Middle East.