Missiles flew across the Gulf after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, sharpening attention on how Moscow might respond.
A hastily arranged call between Russia's leader and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has now sparked fresh Vladimir Putin 'clone' rumours, including claims the person speaking may not have been Putin at all.
A Condolence Call After Ayatollah Khamenei's Death
Putin was said to have phoned Pezeshkian after Iran began firing missiles, offering condolences following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli missile strike.
During the exchange, he expressed his 'deepest condolences' and portrayed Khamenei as central to the relationship between Moscow and Tehran.
He said, 'In our country, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly ties between Russia and Iran and to raising them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. 'Please, convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, as well as to the leadership and to the entire people of Iran.'
Why A Kremlin Insider Says Russia Withheld Support
A source claiming to be a Kremlin insider has alleged the Russian leader stopped short of offering military help, arguing Russia is already struggling with the war in Ukraine.
The same account suggests that, even as Moscow condemned Washington and Israel, it cited constraints linked to the Russia–Ukraine conflict and uncertainty over peace talks.
The source alleged: 'In response, 'Putin' offered condolences, verbally expressing sincere regret for the events and condemning the actions of the US and Israel. 'However, citing the uncertainty surrounding peace talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, he effectively refused to provide military support, arguing that they lacked it themselves. 'Politburo hawks (the group the source claims now runs Russia) proposed setting April 15 of this year as the start date for a 'new wave' of mobilisation, a proposal that was negatively received by some in the Russian leadership.'
How The 'Fake Putin' Claim Revived Clone Rumours
The allegation that 'fake Putin' took the call is the latest twist in long-running speculation about the Russian leader's health and rumours of stand-ins appearing in public.
The Daily Star has followed claims from around two years ago that Putin died at his Valdai Palace and that his body was kept in a freezer, a story that continues to circulate online.
In late October 2023, a Telegram channel called General SVR pushed similar claims, alleging a 'coup' was under way and asserting plans were being made to replace the then 71-year-old.
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The Kremlin says Russia is in continuous contact with Iran’s leadership over what Moscow calls “outright aggression” against Tehran and has expressed deep disappointment at how events have unfolded. - Reuters pic.twitter.com/jZxkf3HSt6
Kremlin Denials, General SVR, And What Is Knowable
The Kremlin denied the October 2023 report within 48 hours, with Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling state media RIA Novosti that the report was an 'absurd information canard'.
General SVR has continued to post claims since then, including the latest suggestion that Russia will not support Iran and that 'fake Putin' was the person speaking to Pezeshkian.
With Russia's internal decision-making closely held, the public record offers few ways to test such accounts, leaving official denials, anonymous sourcing, and online channels in direct tension.
