Iran’s new supreme leader nearly killed in a US airstrike, was allegedly flown to Russia for life-saving leg surgery.

Despite US reports that he is was killed in the strike, Mojtaba Khamenei recently issued a blood-thirsty statement demanding revenge on the US and its allies.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported that the son of the slaughtered Ayatollah had been snuck out of Iran for a top secret surgery.

The paper said that the evacuation took place under the strictest secrecy, and that the new Iranian leader was flown to Moscow on a Russian military aircraft.

Khamenei then allegedly received a ‘successful’ operation in one of Vladimir Putin’s presidential palaces.

Al-Jarida said its unverified information came from a ‘high-ranking source close to the new Iranian Supreme Leader’.

Iran has said the new Ayatollah is alive after Donald Trump suggested he heard the newly chosen supreme leader was ‘not’.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi wrote: ‘The leader of the revolution is in good health and is fully managing the situation.’

Mojtaba Khamenei was selected to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the top role last week after the US and Israel carried out a targeted assassination at the beginning of the war.

But he has still not made a public appearance, and did not appear on camera to issue his first message of vengeance on Thursday.

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Iranian women’s national football team captain Zahra Ghanbari reacts during a press conference ahead of their game against South Korea on Monday at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast, Australia, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP)

Football authorities have extended support to Iran’s women’s team competing in Australia at the Women’s Asian Cup after military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.Iran’s 26-member squad reached the Gold Coast days before the attacks on Saturday, which killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic Republic. The team is scheduled to begin its campaign against South Korea on Monday.The Asian Football Confederation said it is monitoring developments.The AFC said in a statement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”Head coach Marziyeh Jafari addressed the media on Sunday ahead of the opener but focused on football. She said the tournament gives her players an opportunity to highlight their ability.“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we have had a few fruitful sessions, so I hope tomorrow we can show you a good match,” she said.The 12-team competition begins Sunday and will be among the biggest stages for several players in the Iranian squad.Iran made its first appearance at the previous Asian Cup in India in 2022. The team lost to China and Taiwan but received recognition at home in a country where women’s rights are restricted.“In India in 2022, the group was a little easier. Now in 2026 we enter with more experience but the group is more tough,” Jafari said, referring to a pool that also features hosts Australia and the Philippines.“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”Iran qualified for the tournament after progressing through the qualifiers, sealing back-to-back appearances with a win over Jordan.Captain Zahra Ghanbari said the team has clear targets.“I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the 33-year-old.“We know these will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”The top six teams in the tournament will secure places at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.