Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the Iranian supreme leader is fit for office and faces no current medical challenges during a recent interview with CBS. Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon by training, noted the leader is "completely healthy" from a medical perspective, citing a meeting they held that lasted more than seven hours. He described the leader as healthy enough to withstand the duration of the encounter despite the physical toll of remaining in seated positions for that length of time.

The denial comes as U.S. officials negotiate with Tehran, where the health of the supreme leader is viewed as a critical factor for the legitimacy of any agreement. Because the leader provides the final approval for national policy, his capacity to govern is seen as essential to ensuring that terms signed by Washington are binding and sustainable.