Iran is allegedly utilizing AI-enhanced images of the newly-appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as reports indicate he is too injured to appear publicly.

An investigation into the most recent images shared by Iranian state media and on Khamenei’s new X account reveals they have been digitally modified using AI tools, according to Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist with BBC Verify.

“Google’s SynthID has detected watermarks suggesting these images were edited with Google AI,” Sardarizadeh noted on X.

The altered images seem to have been crafted from older photographs of Khamenei participating in a pro-government demonstration, the verification specialist observed.

Furthermore, the metadata from the X account indicates that its origin is in the Netherlands.

The fake photos appeared to be manipulated from years-old photos of Khamenei attending a pro-government rally, the verification expert added. 

There have been no new images released of Khamenei since he was appointed as Iran’s supreme leader earlier this week following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

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The new leader has been missing from the public eye, with reports emerging that he was wounded during the strike that killed his father on Feb. 28.  

One Iranian source told The Sun that Khamenei was actually in a coma and undergoing intensive care at the Sina University Hospital in Tehran.

“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well,” the source alleged.

Other Iranian sources insisted Khamenei had only suffered minor injuries — including a fractured foot, bruised eye, and face lacerations during the initial wave of airstrikes — and was sheltering inside a highly secure location.

Experts have said that Khamenei is being intentionally kept out of the public eye until he recovers in order to project strength at a time of war.