Reports: Iran Leader in Coma, But Office Releases Photo of Meeting Envoy

Amid reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is in a coma, Iran’s Supreme Leader posted a photo on Sunday showing him meeting with Ambassador Mojtaba Amani. Khamenei, 85, has been the subject of speculation after multiple media outlets claimed he was critically ill and nominated his son, Mojtaba, as his successor. The photo, shared on Khamenei’s X account, showed him conversing with Amani in his office.

Amani, injured in a September explosion blamed on Israel, presented Khamenei with a health update. The attack in Lebanon, involving Hezbollah’s communication equipment, killed at least 39 people and injured around 3,000.

Despite health concerns, Khamenei recently delivered his first sermon in five years, marking a strong stance against Israel. On October 5, he declared that Israel “won’t last long” and backed Palestinian and Lebanese movements. He justified Iran’s missile strikes on Israeli infrastructure, calling them a “public service” while holding a gun. Khamenei also declared that Israel would not succeed against Hamas or Hezbollah.

Iran has continued its support for both Hamas and Hezbollah, who are engaged in ongoing conflicts with Israeli forces on its southern and northern fronts.