Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that he received a message last week from Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public for weeks. The statement came during a meeting in St. Petersburg with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. According to the Kremlin, Putin asked for his thanks and well wishes for Khamenei’s health to be conveyed.
“We see how courageously and heroically the Iranian people are fighting for their independence and sovereignty,” Putin said, adding that Russia will do everything it can to help achieve peace in the region. Araghchi, for his part, emphasized that Iran values Russia’s support for diplomacy and highlighted the “depth and stability” of relations between the two countries at a time of heightened regional tensions.
However, Khamenei’s prolonged absence from public view has fueled speculation about his health and his actual role in leading the country. Media reports suggest he may have suffered injuries during a previous wave of attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States has indications that Khamenei is still alive, but raised doubts about his real influence in power. Other reports suggest that the Iranian leader continues to participate in decision-making through remote communications with senior officials, including on key issues such as the regional conflict and potential negotiations with Washington.
These developments come at a critical moment, as tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran remain high, while diplomatic efforts to ease them continue.
