Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida recently reported that Mojtaba Khamenei—the newly appointed supreme religious leader of Iran—had been transferred to Moscow for medical treatment following injuries sustained in U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed his father and wife. According to the report, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally extended an invitation to Khamenei to receive top-tier medical care and ongoing treatment in the Russian capital.
Russian Outreach Amid Leadership Transition
The article further noted that since Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership, President Putin has consistently signaled Moscow’s willingness to strengthen ties with Tehran and support the country’s new governing authorities.
Official Denial Issued
However, on March 16, 2026, Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, officially denied the claim. In a statement, he confirmed that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is neither in Moscow nor receiving medical care or protection there.