SRINAGAR: Amid widespread rumours on social media about Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s health, Iranian officials have countered the claims by releasing a photograph showing him meeting a Lebanese official on 17 November in Tehran. The image, shared on Khamenei’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), purportedly disproves claims that the 85-year-old cleric is in a coma or has passed away.
The rumours began circulating on November 16, with some social media users and commentators suggesting Khamenei’s condition was critical. These claims were fuelled by recent discussions within Iran’s Assembly of Experts regarding potential successors, including Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei. While the Assembly’s discussions were reportedly centred on contingency planning for a possible assassination, they were interpreted by some as evidence of the Supreme Leader’s declining health.
Despite the release of the photograph, questions linger over the authenticity of the image and the timing of the meeting. The rumours gained further traction after reports by outlets such as Iran International, which suggested that the Assembly of Experts might already be preparing for a leadership transition.
The speculation over Khamenei’s health has reignited debates about his successor. Mojtaba Khamenei, his second son, is reportedly a frontrunner, having played a significant role in behind-the-scenes decision-making for decades. His potential appointment has drawn criticism, with detractors arguing it could signal a shift towards dynastic rule within the Islamic Republic.
Two other candidates, Alireza Arafi and Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, are also reportedly being considered. Arafi, a confidant of the Supreme Leader, holds significant influence within the Assembly of Experts, while Bushehri has strong clerical ties to Khamenei.
The rumours about Khamenei’s health have sparked mixed reactions. Critics of the regime have highlighted the opaque nature of its leadership and succession processes, with some pointing to the heavy involvement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in shaping political outcomes. Meanwhile, supporters of the regime have sought to downplay the rumours, with officials emphasising Khamenei’s continued good health.
