As tensions proceed between Israel and Iran, hypothesis is rife over the well being of the Islamic Republic’s supreme chief Ayatollah Khamenei. The 85-year-old cleric is reportedly in a coma, in response to unsourced reviews principally shared on social media. Some declare he’s useless.
However, Iran has not reacted to the rumors, though Khamenei posted a photograph of himself assembly with the Iranian ambassador.
What can we find out about Khamenei’s well being?
Israeli media Y Net News, citing Iran International News Agency, reported that Khamenei was affected by a critical sickness. There are additionally unsourced reviews on social media that he’s in a coma or has died.
But misinformation researcher Tal Hagin identified that a number of the photos flooding social media date again to 2014.
There are at present quite a few unsourced reviews claiming that Iran’s present Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is in a coma.
These reviews are accompanied by “leaked” or “unconfirmed” photos, that are used to lend credibility to unsourced reviews.
These photos usually are not latest – they’re from 2014 pic.twitter.com/kT5iXRApD6
— Tal Hagin (@talhagin) November 16, 2024
So who will succeed Ayatollah Khamenei as Iran’s supreme chief?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already chosen his successor, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, in response to a report by Ynetews citing Iran’s International News Agency.
The second son of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was reportedly chosen at a secret assembly of the Council of Experts on September twenty sixth.
Khamenei referred to as for an uncommon assembly of 60 members of the Iranian Council of Experts in September. He was instructed to decide on a successor as quickly as doable. The report mentioned the conferences had been secret and members got no discover of what was anticipated of them.
There was some resistance to this course of and the choice of a successor. However, the Assembly of Experts was compelled by the Supreme Leader and his representatives to pick Mojtaba Khamenei. The report mentioned the unanimous determination was lastly reached after some threatening arguments.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei speaks at a gathering in Tehran, Iran, on October 27. There is concept that he could also be unwell. Reuters
The talks and choices had been saved secret because of fears of widespread protests over succession planning and the undemocratic course of of choosing the following chief. Attendees had been warned of the potential penalties of any breach.
While his choice isn’t a surprise, his appointment is anticipated to lift eyebrows as he lacks expertise and has by no means held a proper place within the Iranian authorities.
Some folks conversant in the talks mentioned the Ayatollah might hand over energy to his son earlier than he dies, which might clean the transition. They consider this may assist safe Mojtaba Khamenei’s management and suppress any opposition that will come up after the supreme chief’s demise, the Ynet report mentioned.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ali Khamenei, visits the Hezbollah workplace in Tehran, Iran, on October 1, 2024. Iran Supreme Leader’s Office/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout by way of Reuters
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei, the Ayatollah’s second son, was born in Mashhad in 1969. He studied theology below the coaching of influential academics and have become a priest like his father. He nonetheless teaches theology at Qom Seminary, Iran’s largest Islamic seminary.
Mojtaba Khamenei stays largely out of the general public eye. Over the previous two years, his presence has change into extra essential in Tehran. Mojtaba Khamenei has change into extra energetic in Iranian politics and has performed a job in decision-making inside the regime.
A supporter takes a selfie with Mojtaba Khamenei. Image offered by: @Sayyid_Mojtaba/X
In the elections held in 2005 and 2009, Mojtaba Khamenei supported Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He is credited with serving to lead the nation to victory in 2009, and is alleged to have quelled the protests that erupted in Iran after the election.
However, relations soured after President Ahmadinejad accused Mojtaba of embezzling state funds.
In 2021, Mojtaba Khamenei was given the title of Ayatollah, a constitutional obligation as Iran’s supreme chief.
What does Iran say concerning the Ayatollah’s well being and succession?
Iran has not made any formal announcement relating to a successor. Reports relating to the Ayatollah’s well being and Mojtaba’s selection stay speculative.
However, on Sunday (November 17), a day after the reviews about his coma, the supreme chief posted a photograph with the Iranian ambassador. An picture posted on Khamenei’s X account reveals him talking with Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani in his workplace.
“Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, met with Mojtaba Amani, the veteran ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon, at midday at present throughout a break from his each day assembly,” he mentioned in Farsi. mentioned.
ظهر امروز یکشنبه ۲۷ آبان ۱۴۰۳؛ और देखें pic.twitter.com/ctIRbi9bVA
— Khamenei.IR | November 17, 2024
Amani was amongst these injured in an Israeli pager assault on Hezbollah operatives in Beirut in September.
According to an official assertion, Amani has submitted an up to date report on his well being to the Supreme Leader. In the newest photos, each leaders look very comparable.
Earlier, on November 7, Khamenei was seen addressing the sixth session of the Council of Leadership Experts contained in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah Mosque in Tehran. He additionally met with college college students in Tehran on November 2.
One of his most talked-about appearances in 2024 was his first sermon in 5 years, delivered on Oct. 5 after Iran fired 180 missiles at Israel. Addressing tens of 1000’s of supporters at a Tehran mosque, Khamenei justified the missile assault on Israel as a “public service.” He supported the Palestinian and Lebanese actions in opposition to Israel and mentioned Israel “will not final lengthy.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran are excessive following the October 7 Hamas assault on the Jewish state. Both nations have attacked one another, elevating fears of a wider battle in West Asia. Both Hamas and Hezbollah, that are in battle with Israel, are proxies of Iran.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei speaks throughout a gathering with college students in Tehran, Iran, November 2, 2024. Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran/WANA/Reuters
What is the function of Iran’s Supreme Leader?
Khamenei is probably the most highly effective and influential determine in Iran. He is the longest-serving head of state in West Asia. He turned Iran’s supreme chief in 1989 whereas nonetheless serving as president of Iran.
After the demise of Ayatollah Khomeini, the daddy of the Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei turned his successor. Only two males have held this submit because the institution of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
He is the supreme commander of the armed forces and directs the Islamic Republic’s intelligence and safety operations. He additionally decides whether or not to declare battle or name for peace.
People stroll previous a mural depicting late chief of the Islamic Revolution Ruhollah Khomeini and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on a constructing on a road in Tehran, Iran, October 7, 2024. Reuters
The Supreme Leader has the facility to nominate and dismiss the judiciary, the management of the state radio and tv community, and the supreme commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He elects six of the 12 members of the Guardian Council, a robust physique that oversees the actions of Congress and decides which candidates are eligible to run for public workplace, PBS reported. do.
He operates by way of roughly 2,000 representatives from varied branches of presidency. They can intervene in nationwide affairs and in some respects are extra highly effective than ministers, the report mentioned.
The supreme chief is on the prime of the facility construction, adopted by the president.
Based on opinions from brokers