Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in coma? But his office shares pic meeting envoy

Amid speculation about his health, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shared a picture of himself on Sunday meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. The image, posted on Khamenei's official X account, shows him in his office, countering widespread rumors on social media claiming he is in a coma.

Context and Recent Events

Khamenei’s meeting with Amani, who was injured during Israel's September attacks against Hezbollah in Beirut, has garnered significant attention. The post on Khamenei’s X account 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."

Amani was among nearly 3,000 people injured when devices used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group exploded in September.

Health Rumors and Succession Speculations

The image was released amidst various reports suggesting that the 85-year-old leader is seriously ill and has nominated his 55-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor during a secret meeting. Some reports have even speculated that the Supreme Leader has slipped into a coma.

Khamenei’s Recent Public Appearance

In October, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered his first public sermon in five years amid escalating tensions with Israel. Holding a gun, he declared that Israel would not prevail against Hamas or Hezbollah and praised Hassan Nasrallah, the former chief of Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

This recent appearance and the released photo aim to quash rumors about Khamenei's health and reinforce his active role in Iran's political and religious leadership.