The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has cast a long shadow, further intensified by swirling speculation surrounding the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Unsourced reports, primarily circulating on social media, have claimed the 85-year-old cleric is in a coma or even deceased. While Iranian authorities have remained officially silent, a recent photograph posted on Khamenei’s X account shows him meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, seemingly countering the more dramatic rumors.
The speculation ignited after reports in outlets like Ynet News, citing Iran International, indicated Khamenei’s serious illness. These reports fueled the fire, particularly given previous assertions by The New York Times regarding the leader’s deteriorating health. Adding to the complexity, misinformation researcher Tal Hagin has highlighted the circulation of images dating back to 2014, deliberately used to lend credence to unsubstantiated claims.
Crucially, these health rumors intersect with intense speculation about Khamenei’s successor. Ynet News, referencing Iran International, reports that the Supreme Leader has already chosen his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his replacement. This alleged decision reportedly stemmed from a secretive September 26th meeting of the Assembly of Experts, where 60 members were summoned under strict secrecy to determine the succession. Resistance to Mojtaba’s selection, reportedly due to his lack of experience in formal government positions, was met with coercion, according to the report, ultimately resulting in a unanimous—and reportedly pressured—decision.
The secrecy surrounding this meeting, the report suggests, stems from fears of widespread protests against both the choice of successor and the undemocratic nature of the selection process. However, some sources familiar with the inner workings of the Iranian government suggest that a handover of power during Ayatollah Khamenei’s lifetime might be strategically beneficial, smoothing the transition and minimizing potential opposition.
Mojtaba Khamenei, born in 1969, has largely remained out of the public eye. Despite this, he holds a theology professorship at the prestigious Qom Seminary and, in recent years, has exerted increasing influence in Tehran’s political landscape. Notably, he actively supported Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidential campaigns in 2005 and 2009, reportedly playing a significant role in the latter’s victory and subsequent suppression of post-election protests. The relationship between the two, however, reportedly deteriorated after Ahmadinejad accused Mojtaba of financial misappropriation.
The constitutional requirement for the Supreme Leader’s successor to hold the title of Ayatollah was met when Mojtaba Khamenei received the title in 2021. Yet, despite the intense speculation, Iran continues to maintain official silence on both the Supreme Leader’s health and the succession process. However, the recent photograph appearing on Khamenei’s X account, showing him in a meeting with Ambassador Mojtaba Amani, serves as a point of visual counter-narrative to the rumors of his incapacity or death. The image depicts both men in apparent good health.
The Supreme Leader’s recent public appearances, including a sermon on October 5th following Iran’s missile strikes targeting Israel, further complicate the narrative. This sermon, his first in five years, provided a justification for the attacks and fueled already heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei’s power and influence within Iran are undeniable. As the longest-serving head of state in West Asia, his role as commander-in-chief, and his control over key institutions, underscore his pivotal position within the Islamic Republic. The unfolding situation remains fluid and uncertain, but the speculation surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei’s health and the potential succession of Mojtaba Khamenei continues to generate immense interest and concern on the global stage.
