Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson stated that Iran's Supreme Leader and President are "safe and sound."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahgaye said on the evening of February 28 that Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Pezeshkiyan are both "safe and sound." Bahgaye made this statement in interviews with the US broadcaster ABC and the British Sky News channel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a speech that evening that there are increasing signs that Khamenei "is no longer in this world." Israeli media subsequently cited senior Israeli officials as reporting that Khamenei "has already passed away."