Rumours of Ayatollah Khamenei's death refuted

Ayatollah Khamenei

Rumours in international media that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei had passed away was refuted today by Tabnak website, a news outlet connected with conservative presidential candidate Mohsen Rezai.

Armenian News Agency Panorama reported that Iranian Embassy in Armenia has denied rumours of Ayatollah Khamenei's death declaring them to be completely false.

On Monday, Michael Ledeen, one of America’ s neo-conservatives, posted a report on his personal site regarding Ayatollah Khamenei’s death claiming he had received the news from an excellent but anonymous source.

Guardian quoted Mr. Ledeen’s website writing: “Yesterday afternoon at 2.15pm local time Khamenei collapsed and was taken to his special clinic. Nobody – except his son and the doctors – has since been allowed to get near him. His official, but secret, status is 'in the hands of the gods'."

Mr. Ledeen’s declaration had a ripple effect in the media as British daily Telegraph, Israeli media including Jerusalem Post, British daily Guardian, Russian daily Pravda and several other websites and news outlets engaged in the speculations about Ayatollah Khamenei’s death.

Tabnak Website described Mr. Ledeen’s claims as “hallucinations and lies” saying:” According to accurate reports from a Tabnak reporter and considering the meetings and sessions attended by the Leader of the Revolution in the past two days, Mr. Ledeen’s claims are utter lies and in line with the West’s objectives to agitate public minds in Iran, to distort the truth within Iranian society and to create a chaotic portrait of Iran’s internal situation.”

Robert Tait, former Guardian correspondent in Iran observes that discussions over Ayatollah Khamenei’s health are legion and he is repeatedly rumoured to suffer from various ailments such as prostate cancer or lung cancer.

Obviously Iran’s Supreme Leader can put an end to the rumours by making a public appearance. Until then, the rumours will probably continue to spread.