
Russia's ambassador to Tehran said that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in Iran and has not been hospitalized in Russia, as some rumors have suggested.
"As the Iranian leadership has repeatedly stated, the new leader is in Iran, but for obvious reasons he is avoiding public appearances," Alexei Dedov told global Russian-language media outlet RTVI.
Ali Khamenei's son has yet to appear in public since his elevation to Iran's leader earlier this month, and his voice has not been heard. Instead, written statements attributed to him have been broadcast by state media.
His failure to appear in person has led to strong speculation about his condition and whereabouts, as well as the extent to which he controls the Iranian government and military.