Khamenei's Demise?

FrontPage Magazine ^ | October 22, 2009 | Ryan Mauro

[TDCAnalyst]

The Obama Administration may have found its breakthrough in dealing with Iran, but not through its diplomatic engagement. Rumors are spreading in and outside of Iran that Supreme Leader Khamenei, who at 70 years old has been known to be in poor health, is in a coma or dead. The regime denies this, but has failed to offer any proof that he is alive. Khamenei may ultimately prove to be alive, but it is clear something happened to him and his near-term fate is uncertain.

The rumors that Khamenei was in a coma began to quickly spread after prominent Iran expert, Michael Ledeen, wrote on his blog on October 13 that an “excellent” source “who is in a position to know such things” had informed him that Khamenei had fallen into a coma on October 13, his health was deteriorating, and could die. His report was picked up by prominent news outlets, even though Ledeen says that a left-wing Iranian website was the first to report on Khamenei’s condition.

Alan Peters of AntiMullah.com, who describes himself as having been “involved with intelligence and security matters in Iran with significant access at top levels during the rule of the Shah, until early 1979,” reported the following day that Khamenei had died, citing a source that he said was different from Ledeen’s. As evidence, he said that those appearing on the regime’s media outlets were wearing black and black drapes were seen on government buildings. However, a source inside Iran cautioned me this was more likely done to commemorate the death of the sixth Shiite Imam, Sadegh, which fell on October 14.

Rumors that Khamenei had died began spreading around Iran at this time, partially or wholly attributable to these reports....

[Truth is a Weapon]

Maybe premature but here goes: “Everybody, dance!”

[Dem Guard]

Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!

[ravingnutter]

[SERKIT]

Will Slim Shady send Slow Joe to the state funeral?