Rumors about Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s health circulate online, but experts and verified sources dismiss claims as baseless.
Claims that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, is in a coma have gone viral, sparking speculation about his health. These rumors surfaced shortly after a New York Times report in October indicated that Khamenei was “seriously ill.” However, no credible sources or official statements have confirmed any further decline in his condition.
Expert Debunks Rumors
Jason Brodsky, Policy Director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and a scholar at the Middle East Institute, dismissed the claims as baseless. “Tweets about how #Iran’s regime’s supreme leader is in a coma or has even died are all over my timeline,” he posted on social media.
“There is not one credible news outlet which has reported as such. Khamenei was last seen in public on November 7.”
Old Photos Fuel Misinformation
Images purportedly showing Khamenei on a hospital bed have also circulated online, further fueling rumors. These images, however, have been traced back to 2014 and are unrelated to the current speculation.
Background on Khamenei’s Health
The New York Times report, published on October 27, suggested that Khamenei is battling a serious medical condition. It also speculated that his eldest son, Mojtaba Khamenei, might succeed him. The report coincided with escalating tensions in the region, including Israel’s military strikes on Iranian targets following a missile attack on October 1.
Fact Check
As of now, there is no credible evidence to support the claims of Khamenei being in a coma. With the Supreme Leader last seen on November 7, experts urge caution in spreading unverified information.
While rumors about Khamenei’s health continue to circulate, their accuracy remains unverified. For now, these claims appear to be another case of social media misinformation.
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