Iran officials fear Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may die soon: Report

Tehran, Aug 7: Iranian officials have reportedly told confidants they would not be surprised if Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei dies in the near future, according to a new report. The revelation adds to mounting uncertainty over the health and whereabouts of the 65-year-old cleric, who has not been seen in public for weeks.

The claim, attributed to unnamed officials, comes amid a swirl of contradictory reports. Some suggest Khamenei is gravely injured, possibly from an attack, while others say he is alive but in critical condition. A separate report claims he may not even be inside Iran.

Reports of critical condition

Israeli media have gone further, claiming Khamenei could die at any moment. Citing intelligence sources, they describe his condition as critical. The reports have not been independently verified, and Iranian state media has remained largely silent on the matter.

Officials in Tehran have not issued a formal statement. The lack of official communication has only fueled speculation, both inside Iran and abroad, about a potential power vacuum.

A meeting in darkness

Adding to the confusion, Iran's president reportedly met with a man he was told was Khamenei, but the encounter took place in near-total darkness. According to the report, the president was not convinced the man was actually the Supreme Leader.

The bizarre episode, described by a source familiar with the meeting, has raised questions about whether Khamenei's inner circle is trying to conceal his true condition. Some analysts suggest the regime may be buying time to manage a transition.

If Khamenei were to die, it would trigger a complex succession process. The Assembly of Experts, a body of clerics, is constitutionally tasked with choosing a new Supreme Leader. However, internal factions within Iran's conservative establishment could make the process contentious.

Regional tensions and the Hormuz route

Meanwhile, regional tensions remain high. In a separate development, Iran and Oman are reportedly close to finalising a deal on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, has been a flashpoint in recent months.

The proposed route could ease concerns about disruptions to oil shipments. Details of the deal remain sketchy, but negotiators on both sides have expressed optimism. An agreement would mark a rare diplomatic breakthrough amid ongoing hostilities in the region.

The timing of the Hormuz talks, coinciding with the uncertainty over Khamenei, suggests Tehran is trying to project stability. But the reports of the Supreme Leader's deteriorating health could undermine that effort.

What to watch

In the coming days, all eyes will be on any official announcement from Tehran. If Khamenei's condition worsens, the succession battle could reshape Iran's political landscape. For now, the world waits, and the reports remain unconfirmed.