Supreme leader Khamenei in Iran but avoiding public appearances, Russian envoy says

Russia has close ties with Iran through a strategic partnership

Demonstrators hold a poster of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a rally to mark al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day), amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, after Friday prayers at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Mar 13, 2026. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in the country but is refraining from making public appearances "for understandable reasons", the RTVI news outlet quoted Russia's ambassador to the country as saying on Tuesday.

Mojtaba replaced his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed when Israel and the United States launched their war on Iran more than a month ago. The US has said it believes Mojtaba himself is wounded and likely disfigured.

Russia has close ties with Iran, with which it signed a strategic partnership treaty last year.