Sun Nov 17 10:15:45 UTC 2024: ## Rumours Swirl Around Iranian Supreme Leader’s Health: No Official Confirmation
**Tehran, November 17, 2024** – Social media is abuzz with unsubstantiated claims that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (85), is in a coma. These rumors intensified following a New York Times report in October stating Khamenei was seriously ill. However, no official source has confirmed any deterioration in his health.
Jason Brodsky, policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), has dismissed the claims as largely false, stating that no credible news outlet has reported on Khamenei’s purported coma or death. Khamenei was last seen publicly on November 7th.
The New York Times report, published October 27th, indicated Khamenei was facing a serious medical condition, and suggested his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was being groomed as a successor. However, the report did not confirm a worsening of his condition.
Circulating alongside the rumors are old images purportedly showing Khamenei in a hospital bed, falsely presented as recent evidence. Fact-checks have revealed these photos date back to 2014.
The rumors emerged amidst heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, following Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iranian military sites in response to an October 1st Iranian missile attack on Israel.
While there are numerous unverified reports circulating online, no official statements have been made confirming Khamenei’s health status or the coma claims. Caution is urged regarding the spread of misinformation on social media.
First Piper 