Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baghaei, confirmed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in good health, pointing out that the delay in his public appearance is due to the circumstances of the ongoing war against Iran. Baqaei said in statements to Al-Masry Al-Youm website, in response to a question about the allegations that the new Iranian leader was injured, and the reason for his not appearing in a televised speech: “I confirm that the mere election of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei by the Assembly of Experts within only a few days after the assassination of the late leader Ali Khamenei, was in itself a very expressive matter, as it showed that our system is based on the constitution, and that it operates according to approved institutional procedures and rules.” He added: “Regarding his health condition, yes, there is a lot that is said about his health condition, but I assure you that he is fine, and I think it is not surprising that it would take some time before he appeared in public, in light of these war conditions. But I confirm that the state, government and defense administration are being managed in a very effective and efficient manner.” The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation had previously said that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in his feet in the inaugural Israeli-American strike on Iran on February 28 on the Khamenei family compound, where his father, wife, and son were killed. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that "Mojtaba Khamenei was injured and likely maimed," while President Donald Trump claimed that the guide was "killed or seriously injured" in US-Israeli strikes on Iran. For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that the new Supreme Leader is fine, pledging that everyone will see him soon. On the morning of Sunday, March 1, Iranian television officially announced the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. On the night of March 9, Iran's Assembly of Experts confirmed the election of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.