Khamenei Meets Ambassador Amid Health Speculations

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, recently met with Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, addressing speculation about his deteriorating health.

Rumors had surfaced claiming that Khamenei, 85, was in a coma and had secretly designated his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor. These claims followed an October report by The New York Times indicating that the Iranian leader was “seriously ill.”

However, Khamenei countered these reports by sharing a photograph of the meeting with Amani on his official X account (formerly Twitter). The caption read:
“Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, met and talked with Mr. Mojtaba Amani, the veteran ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon, at noon today, on the sidelines of his daily meetings.”

Ambassador Amani Briefs Khamenei

Mojtaba Amani, injured in a September explosion in Lebanon that killed 39 and injured nearly 3,000, reportedly updated Khamenei on his recovery and the situation in Lebanon. Iran and Hezbollah have blamed the explosion on Israel, though the circumstances remain contested.

Khamenei’s Public Appearances

This meeting follows Khamenei’s rare public sermon on October 5, marking his first in five years. The sermon came after Iran launched missile strikes on Israel’s critical infrastructure. Addressing a large crowd in Tehran, Khamenei declared, “Israel won’t last long,” reaffirming support for Palestinian and Lebanese resistance movements.

During the speech, Khamenei defended Iran’s missile strikes as a “public service” and reiterated backing for Hamas and Hezbollah. Holding a firearm, he stated, “Israel will not prevail against Hamas or Hezbollah,” addressing tens of thousands of supporters in a Tehran mosque.

Khamenei’s Legacy

Ayatollah Khamenei, who has ruled Iran since 1989, continues to be a pivotal figure in the nation’s political and ideological framework, maintaining strong ties with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom are engaged in conflicts with Israeli forces.