Iran's top leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reportedly in serious condition at a hospital in Tehran, according to media reports. Khamenei is suffering from prostate cancer that has reportedly spread to the rest of his body.
Earlier this week, the French newspaper 'Le Figaro' quoted Western intelligence officials as saying that the cancer was discovered about ten years ago. "The cancer is in stage four, in other words has spread." Doctors estimate Khamenei "has two years left to live."
Last September, the Iranian supreme leader, who has veto on most major decisions, underwent surgery and it was then that doctors discovered the fatal situation. In Iran, however, his condition is not public, and only those close to him know how bad the situation is.
The 75-year-old cleric, who has ruled since the death in 1989 of the Islamic republic's founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini underwent prostate surgery in September which official Iranian news said had been successful.
As Iran's supreme leader, Khamenei has the final word on all matters of state and his authority far exceeds that of the country's elected politicians, including President Hassan Rouhani. his powers include direct control of the regime's media apparatus and thus he would have personally taken the decision to publicize his surgery.
Speculation about the leader's health has previously circled during periods of public silence from him but in recent weeks he has made numerous speeches and public appearances.
Before being appointed as head of state 25 years ago, Khamenei served as president for almost eight years during the Iran-Iraq war. In 1981, he survived an assassination attempt which left his right arm paralyzed.
Khamenei's powers in military matters are particularly important, as he can pronounce peace or declare war by mobilising the armed forces of which he is effectively commander-in-chief.
Iran's Assembly of Experts, comprised of 86 religious figures elected by the people, is responsible for appointing the supreme leader and monitoring his actions. The head of state is granted an indefinite term but the assembly has the power to dismiss him.
Ardent hater of Israel
Earlier this week, Khamenei again took to Twitter to rally against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and promote conspiracy theories about Zionist control over Western governments. The ayatollah, who regularly calls for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people, promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about AIPAC.
“Zionists’ hegemony over US officials is such that these poor ppl have to show consideration for #Israel& cover up its crimes,” Khamenei wrote in one tweet, along with the hash tag, “ShutDownAIPAC.”
“Once ppl in West #realize their problems stem from Zionist domination over govts, great social movements will give #birth to a new world,” he wrote in another tweet.
Khamenei then celebrated a rise in hatred toward Israel, which also has been accompanied by several anti-Semitic attacks across Europe. “Increasing global hatred of #Israel is a sign of divine help,” he wrote. “Today Israel is more isolated&its supporters are more embattled #ShutDownAIPAC.”
