Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive, dismissing widespread speculation following recent military strikes on Iranian territory.
Speaking amid heightened regional tensions, Araghchi said both leaders remain “alive and safe,” countering claims circulating in some international media and political circles that the Supreme Leader may have been killed.
The statement comes after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on key Iranian targets, an escalation that has fuelled uncertainty over the status of Tehran’s top leadership.
Speculation intensified over the weekend as conflicting reports emerged about casualties among senior Iranian officials. However, Iran’s foreign ministry moved quickly to quell rumours, maintaining that the country’s political leadership remains intact.
Araghchi added that while there may have been losses among military commanders, Iran’s senior civilian authorities continue to function normally.
There has been no independent confirmation from Western governments to support claims that either Khamenei or Pezeshkian was harmed. Israeli officials have also not provided verifiable evidence to substantiate suggestions that Iran’s Supreme Leader may no longer be alive.
The renewed exchange of hostilities has further strained relations across the Middle East, with analysts warning that misinformation and psychological warfare are becoming central features of the unfolding conflict.
As tensions persist, Tehran appears determined to project stability at the top, signalling that its chain of command remains operational despite the ongoing crisis.
