‘He was on the stairs’: Iran claims Khamenei was knocked down by US blast but ‘recovered well’

iran supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei Iran’s top official said on Friday that he was in “good health” and suffered only minor injuries in the February 28 attack, dismissing speculation about his condition and ability to govern.The officials insisted that Khamenei remained actively involved in the country’s affairs and accused Iran’s enemies of spreading “rumors and false claims” about his health in the aftermath of the attack. The attack reportedly killed Khamenei’s father, former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and several senior Iranian figures.Mazaher Husseini, chief of protocol at the Supreme Leader’s Office, said Mojtaba Khamenei suffered only minor injuries in the attack. According to Iran International English, Hosseini said Khamenei suffered injuries to his kneecaps, lower back and the area behind his ears.According to “Iran International English”, Hosseini said in a speech to supporters: “During the attack, Khamenei was not where the attack took place. They attacked his home and his wife was killed. He was on the stairs when the missile got stuck. He was on the stairs when the explosion knocked him to the ground.”“Thank God, he is in good health. The enemies are spreading all sorts of rumors and false claims. They want to see him and find him, but people should be patient and not anxious. He will speak to you when the time comes,” he added.Hosseini also acknowledged that “a small piece of shrapnel hit him behind the ear,” but insisted that the wound was healing and that Khamenei was now “fully healthy.”The comments came as conflicting reports continued about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health, with multiple international media reporting that he had been seriously injured in the attack.Earlier this month, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with his inner circle, that the 56-year-old cleric suffered serious injuries to his face and one or both legs during an attack on the Supreme Leader’s residence in central Tehran.Reports also claim that several members of his family, including his wife and close relatives, were killed in the attack alongside Ali Khamenei.The report said Khamenei remained mentally alert and continued to participate in major national decisions via audio conferencing, including discussions related to the current conflict and negotiations with Washington.A separate report by CNN, citing a U.S. intelligence assessment, said Khamenei has become a central figure in shaping Iran’s war and negotiation strategy following recent attacks by the U.S. and Israel.U.S. intelligence agencies have not confirmed Khamenei’s whereabouts since he took office following the death of his father, the report said.CNN further reported that Khamenei avoided electronic communications and instead relied on trusted messengers and in-person meetings while receiving treatment for burns and other injuries to his face, arms, torso and legs.Meanwhile, Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States expected Iran to respond to Washington’s proposals aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in West Asia. “Supposedly we’ll be hearing from them tonight,” Trump told reporters before traveling to Virginia.Asked whether Iran was deliberately delaying the process, Trump said, “We’ll find out soon.”Trump also dismissed claims that Washington had made only a “one-page proposal” to Iran. “Well, it’s not just a one-page proposal. It’s a proposal that basically says they’re not going to have nuclear weapons; they’re going to give us nuclear fallout and a lot of other things that we want,” Trump said.Asked whether Iran accepted the terms, Trump responded, “They already agreed to it. When they agreed to it, it didn’t mean much because the next day they forgot they agreed to it.”