Iran denies reports Khamenei transferred to Moscow after strike

2026-03-17 - 15:50

MOSCOW — Iran’s ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali on Tuesday denied media reports that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been transferred to Moscow for medical treatment after being injured in a U.S.-Israeli strike late last month.In a statement posted on X, Jalali described the reports as “a new psychological war,” rejecting claims that Iran’s leadership had sought treatment abroad.“Iran's leaders don't need to run and hide in shelters; their place is on the streets among the people,” he said.The denial comes after Kuwaiti newspaper Al Jarida reported that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in a strike on Feb. 28 and transported to Moscow for treatment, citing a senior source close to Iran’s leadership.On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the reports, saying Moscow does not respond to such claims.