Mojtaba Khamenei Remains in Iran but Avoids Public Appearances, Says Russian Ambassador
Tehran, April 1, 2026 — Russia’s ambassador to Iran has confirmed that the country’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still inside Iran, pushing back against widespread speculation about his whereabouts and health following deadly US-Israeli strikes in late February.
In an interview with the Russian-language outlet RTVI on March 31, Ambassador Alexey Dedov stated that Mojtaba Khamenei has not left the country and is refraining from public appearances “for understandable reasons.” He emphasized that Iranian leadership has repeatedly affirmed the new leader’s presence within Iran.
“As the Iranian leadership has stated repeatedly, the new leader is in Iran, but for obvious reasons, he is refraining from appearing in public,” Dedov told RTVI.
Background on Succession and Rumors
Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named Supreme Leader shortly after his father’s death in joint US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026. The strikes also claimed the life of Ali Khamenei’s wife, according to some reports.
Since assuming the role, Mojtaba has issued written statements and messages, including a Nowruz (Persian New Year) greeting and warnings directed at the United States. However, he has made no public appearances, released no video or audio recordings in his own voice, and has maintained a low profile—unlike his father, who frequently delivered televised addresses.
This absence has fueled intense speculation. Rumors have circulated that Mojtaba was injured in the February strikes, possibly disfigured, and may have been flown to Moscow for medical treatment at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Other unverified claims suggested he was in critical condition, hidden by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), or that real power had shifted away from him.
Dedov’s comments directly counter these reports, reinforcing Tehran’s position that the Supreme Leader remains in Iran for security reasons amid ongoing regional tensions. The ambassador also noted that he has not yet met with Mojtaba Khamenei personally, though President Putin was among the first to send a congratulatory message expressing support for Iran.
Context of Ongoing Conflict
The confirmation comes as Iran continues to face military pressure from the United States and Israel, with the conflict having escalated significantly since late February. Security concerns for high-profile Iranian figures remain elevated, providing a plausible explanation for the new leader’s decision to stay out of the public eye.
Major international outlets, including Reuters, NDTV, WION, The Times of Israel, and others, have reported on Dedov’s remarks, highlighting their role in addressing the information vacuum surrounding Iran’s leadership transition.
As the situation in the Middle East remains fluid, further updates on Mojtaba Khamenei’s activities could emerge in the coming weeks. For now, the Russian envoy’s statement offers the clearest public indication yet of the Supreme Leader’s status from a key Iranian ally.
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