▲ A woman in Tehran, Iran, holds a photograph of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iranian media outlets published reports on the 9th (local time) regarding the activities of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, appearing to quash recent rumors concerning his critical health condition.
According to the Iranian military-run Defa Press, Ghasem Ghoraei, deputy commander of the paramilitary Basij militia, stated at an event that "photos and documents showing Ayatollah Khamenei among the people, in the streets, and at military commanders' meetings will be released soon."
Deputy Commander Ghoraei emphasized that releasing these images would "once again bring shame to the malicious enemies of the Iranian people."
State-run media outlets, including IRIB broadcasting and the IRNA news agency, also reported in unison that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking his third year in office, recently met with Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss various pending issues, including the development of the military sector and external economic exchanges.
There have been persistent speculations that Mojtaba Khamenei was severely injured and has struggled to recover following US and Israeli airstrikes in late February, when his father and former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died.
On the 7th, IranWire, a UK-based Iranian opposition media outlet, reported citing multiple sources that Mojtaba Khamenei was in critical condition and had no contact with cabinet officials.
The outlet reported that rumors are rampant among the Iranian leadership that it would not be surprising if he were to pass away at any time.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public even once since being elected Supreme Leader.
He was also absent from his father's funeral held in July.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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