Iran denied on Thursday that a retired general had been killed in Syria, saying he was still in a coma after being shot in the head, according to Agence France Presse.
AFP cited a letter from his brigade, published by Iran's Mizanonline news agency, which read, "According to latest news received on the brave commander... brother Brigadier Haj Ahmad Gholami is in a coma and therefore we request all dear ones and fighters to pray for his health."