WikiLeaks reveals Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has terminal cancer
November 30th, 2010 - 1:17 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Nov 30 (ANI): US diplomatic cables released by the whistleblower website ‘WikiLeaks’ include remarks of an Iranian informant telling American officials in 2009 that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had terminal cancer and could die within months.
Ayatollah Khamenei, the chief religious leader of Iran, who holds the final word in state affairs is a hardliner well-known to be hostile to America. Details of the health and lifestyle of the 71-year old leader continues to remain a mystery.
According to the Telegraph, an American official in Istanbul reported in August, 2009 that a businessman close to former Iranian President Ayatollah Hashemi had said that the Supreme Leader was diagnosed with a fatal form of leukaemia.
The source had also said that Rafsanjani believed his great rival would be dead in a “matter of months”.
The paper quoted the report as saying that the timing of the information is significant since Ayatollah Rafsanjani was at the time orchestrating opposition to the re-election of President Mahmound Ahmadinejad, who has triumphed in a blatantly rigged election the previous June.
“As a result, Rafsanjani decided to stop challenging Khamenei, and instead is preparing the ground to have himself appointed Khamenei’s successor. If he is successful, though clearly he would face stiff opposition from Ahmadinejad allies in that Assembly, he would then invite Ahmadinejad to resign and call a new election,” the report added.
Ayatollah Khamenei has frequently been rumoured to have had cancer treatment. His opponents have also circulated rumours of his opium addiction. (ANI)
- Plot to kill Iran's supreme leader unearthed - Dec 11, 2011
- Iran's ex-president ousted as head of key state body - Mar 08, 2011
- Planned rally to support revolts draws Iranians anger - Feb 10, 2011
- Ahmadinejad warns opposition ahead of protests - Jun 04, 2010
- Is Iran President Ahmadinejad about to resign over row with Khamenei? - Apr 30, 2011
- Ahmadinejad shows whose boss by sacking Iran's foreign minister - Dec 14, 2010
- Iran hails Iraq's 'growing influence' - Apr 24, 2012
- Iran's Rafsanjani defies clergy criticism - Jul 27, 2009
- Masters degree must for Iran's lawmakers - Apr 29, 2011
- Iran's parliamentary elections blow to enemies: Khamenei - Mar 01, 2012
- Obama's secret message: Iran can have civilian n-programme - Apr 07, 2012
- Iran to 'powerfully' respond to a US attack - Nov 10, 2011
- Khamenei rebuffs Ahmadinejad on official's dismissal - Apr 21, 2011
- Ahmadinejad's deputy withdraws after Khamenei's rejection - Jul 25, 2009
- Rafsanjani to discuss Iran crisis with clerics - Jul 19, 2009
Tags: allies, american officials, ayatollah khamenei, businessman, cancer treatment, final word, former iranian president, hashemi, informant, istanbul, leader of iran, mahmound ahmadinejad, opium addiction, rafsanjani, religious leader, rumours, state affairs, stiff opposition, supreme leader ayatollah, terminal cancer