Tehran: Israeli media outlets have reported that Iran’s ruler, cleric Mojtaba Khamenei, is in a critical condition and has been taken to hospital.
According to the reports, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s ruler after Ayatollah Khamenei was said to have been killed during attacks by the US and Israel. Since then, his absence from public view has fuelled speculation about his health.
While statements and messages attributed to him have been read out on Iran’s national television, the lack of public appearances has continued to raise questions. Recently, Russia’s ambassador to Iran, Alexey Dedov, said Mojtaba Khamenei was in Iran and was avoiding public events for certain reasons.
The latest claims were carried by Israel’s Channel 14 and IranWire, and also by The Jerusalem Post, which cited sources said to be close to President Pezeshkian’s administration.
Sources described as close to President Pezeshkian were quoted as saying that no cabinet members have met Khamenei so far, that his condition has worsened, and that they would not be surprised even if news of his death emerges soon.
