Iran Reports Supreme Leader Recovered From Minor Injuries After February Attacks

Iranian officials have stated that supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in full health and recovering from a small scratch behind his ear. The regime issued the comments through the semi-official Fars News agency in its first public remarks on his condition since US-Israeli attacks began on 28 February.

Those strikes killed his father Ali Khamenei. Officials said Khamenei's back injury has improved and his kneecap injury will soon heal. They added that he had not been in the same building as his father during the strikes. m. Four senior Iranian officials familiar with his health told The New York Times earlier this month that the 56-year-old sustained grave wounds but remains mentally sound.

One leg was operated on three times and he is expected to receive a prosthetic. One hand was also operated on and is regaining function while his face and lips were badly burned, making speaking difficult. Mazaher Hosseini, director general of protocol at the office of the supreme leader, said there was only a small crack behind the ear when asked about facial injuries.

"Thank God, he is in good health," Hosseini said. The statement added that the enemy is spreading rumours and false claims and urged patience from the public. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said he met Khamenei at an undisclosed location on Thursday.

Iranian state TV reported that the head of Iran's military central command, Ali Abdollahi, met him on Sunday. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the attacks.

Earlier accounts indicated that Khamenei required plastic surgery on his face and was awaiting a new prosthetic leg. Reports also stated he narrowly escaped death in the 28 February strikes. His wife, Ms Haddad, was killed instantly in the strike on the residence.

The regime has pushed back against speculation about his condition. Officials said people should be patient and not rush to see him. The comments mark the first official acknowledgment of any injury to the supreme leader.