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Iran Denies Khamenei Death Rumors Amid US-Israel Strikes, Cites Leader's Health

Iranian representatives have forcefully denied Israeli media reports suggesting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in recent US-Israel strikes, stating he is in good health and will speak soon. The representative in India condemned the aggression, claiming civilian areas were targeted despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Meanwhile, Tehran has experienced panic, with heavy outbound traffic and long queues for essential supplies like bread and water. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation, stating the use of force undermines international peace and security.

Key Points: Iran Denies Ayatollah Khamenei Death Reports After Strikes

  • Iranian officials deny Supreme Leader's death
  • US-Israel strikes targeted Iran
  • Civilian areas reportedly hit, sparking condemnation
  • Capital Tehran sees panic buying and traffic chaos
  • UN chief condemns military escalation
3 min read

"Supreme leader in good health," Ayatollah Khamnei's representative in India rubbishes reports of his death

Iranian officials deny reports of Supreme Leader's death after US-Israel strikes, confirm he is in good health and will address the nation soon.

"The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people - Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi"

Tehran, February 28

Hours after US and Israel struck deep into Iran with the goal of displacing the Islamic regime, speculation about the whereabouts and wellbeing of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Israeli TV reported that their assessment suggested that the supreme leader has likely been killed in the strike.

However, the Iranian's issued a speedy denial. Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, said, "The Supreme Leader is in good health and never has a fear of America or any other people... He will continue by his dignity and wisdom, and I hope that we will win this war."

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking in an interview with NBC News said, "All high-ranking officials are alive... we are handling this situation, and everything is fine."

Iran's Al-Alam TV reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will speak to the Iranian people soon.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, also condemned the US-Israel led aggression

"We were in negotiations and discussion to reach a diplomatic conclusion. We were thinking that very soon we reached to very good statement by Iran and the United States of America... But unfortunately, today, within this last month, month of Ramadan, we got attacked from Israel and United States of America against Iran. Firstly, they started attacking civilian people. They announced that attacked some government state and also a governmental building, but it's not true, they attacked civilians," he said

"We condemn this aggression against Iran, this attack against Iran... We hope that international law and United Nations will and stop this war against Iran," he added.

In Iran, IRNA reported that officials converted a key highway linking the capital to northern Iran into a one-way route to accommodate the heavy outbound traffic. The agency reports heavy traffic heading north out of the capital.

In northern Tehran, supermarkets saw a surge of customers seeking bread and bottled water. However, supply has been limited. Long queues have also been observed at gas stations across the city.

State television showed footage from one of Tehran's highways, Soleimani highway, where extremely heavy traffic was visible on west-to-east routes.

Earlier, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday unequivocally condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the "use of force" by United States and Israel, and Iran's "subsequent retaliation" undermine international peace and security.

While invoking the UN charter, the Secretary General, said that the principal document guiding the international body clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The denial from the representative in India seems very prompt. But the reports of heavy traffic leaving Tehran and panic buying tell a different story on the ground. Which source do we believe? 🤔
A
Aditya G
First and foremost, we must condemn any attack on civilians, as the representative said. War is never a solution. The UN Secretary General is right. This sets a dangerous precedent for international law.
S
Sarah B
The timing during Ramadan makes this even more tragic. My heart goes out to the ordinary people in Iran just trying to live their lives. The queues for bread and water... no one deserves this.
K
Karthik V
While we should be concerned about regional stability, I respectfully think our media is giving too much space to the Iranian representative's statement. Our primary focus should be on how India navigates this to protect its own interests—energy security and Chabahar port are crucial.
M
Meera T
The report says they were close to a diplomatic statement with the US. So much effort for peace ruined in a moment. What a failure of statecraft on all sides. Hope the Supreme Leader's promised address brings some clarity.

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