The Islamic Republic of Iran has refuted claims by the United Nations that the new leader of the transnational terrorist group al-Qaida is being sheltered within its territory, describing the global body’s report as incorrect and a misinformation.

Iran’s mission to the UN said such statements could hinder efforts to combat terrorism.

“It is worth noting that the address for the so-called newly appointed Al-Qaeda leader is incorrect. This misinformation could potentially hinder efforts to combat terrorism,” it said.

A United Nations report on Wednesday unveiled the group’s new leader, Saif al-Adel, and added that Mr al-Adel’s leadership was operating from Iran. The report relied on intelligence reports from member countries to conclude that Mr al-Adel had automatically become the leader of the group following the killing of its former leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2022.

The United States said its intelligence aligned with the UN report and that it further established Iran’s support for international terrorism.

“When it comes to his presence there, offering safe haven to al-Qaida is just another example of Iran’s wide-ranging support for terrorism, its destabilising activities in the Middle East and beyond,” a State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, told reporters during a daily briefing.