Contradicting earlier reports of his death, Iranian state media on Friday confirmed that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is alive and recovering from serious injuries sustained during an Israeli airstrike.

Last week, several Iranian news outlets, including the IRGC-controlled Fars News Agency and the semi-official Mehr news agency, reported that Shamkhani had been killed in Israel’s initial barrage of airstrikes on June 13. However, these same outlets have now issued a statement attributed to Shamkhani himself, asserting his survival and resilience.

“I am alive and ready to sacrifice myself,” the statement reads.

According to the reports, Shamkhani is currently hospitalized and recovering steadily from his wounds. The reports described his condition as stable, though the injuries were described as serious.