Iran’s president claims Supreme Leader Khamenei healthy, able to govern

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Thursday asserted that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in full health and capable of performing his duties, pushing back against persistent reports questioning the leader’s condition. Pezeshkian’s statement comes amid an extended period during which Khamenei has not appeared publicly, fueling speculation inside and outside Iran. The uncertainty intensified after reports that Khamenei was seriously hurt during U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Feb. 28. Those strikes were also reported to have killed Khamenei’s father, who is described as his predecessor. Since then, various unverified claims have circulated suggesting the supreme leader could be deceased or brain-dead. Pezeshkian’s remarks are the most direct official response to those allegations to date, aiming to reassure observers about the continuity of Iran’s top leadership. The president’s comment does not include medical details or independent verification of Khamenei’s condition, and questions about the supreme leader’s whereabouts and health have continued to draw attention. The dispute over Khamenei’s status has domestic and international resonance given the supreme leader’s central role in Iran’s political system. Public statements from senior Iranian officials, such as the one made by Pezeshkian, serve both to address internal concerns and to signal a position externally amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the reported Feb. 28 strikes.