British media claim: Iran's Supreme Leader is seriously ill and in a coma, unable to participate in national decision-making

[Text/Observer Network Wang Yì]

Since he has not appeared publicly for a long time, there are many rumors about the current health and safety status of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Muqtada al-Husayni.

On April 6, the UK “The Times” website reported that a diplomatic memo based on US-Israeli intelligence revealed that Muqtada is currently in a coma, receiving treatment in the holy city of Qom, and that his “condition is serious” to the point that he cannot participate in any national decision-making.

However, this claim has not been confirmed by any party, especially the Iranian authorities. Regarding speculation about the health of the Supreme Leader, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagheri responded on the 1st of this month that Muqtada is in good health, but his public appearance has been delayed due to the war.

To “prove” the authenticity of the above information, the British media claimed that US and Israeli intelligence agencies have long known Muqtada’s specific location but had not previously disclosed it; they have shared the relevant memo with Gulf allies.

The memo states that Muqtada’s father, the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is being prepared for burial at the important Shia religious site of Qom. The city is located about 140 kilometers south of Tehran. The Iranian government has begun constructing a large mausoleum there, with plans including “more than one burial site,” implying that members of the Khamenei family, and possibly Muqtada himself, may be buried there.

However, the memo did not provide more specific information, and basing the possibility that Muqtada is also “buried there” solely on the number of graves seems somewhat hasty. After all, Iran’s officials have previously confirmed that Muqtada was injured in the first day of the war during an airstrike, and his family—father, mother, wife, and a son—were all killed in the US-Israeli attack that day.

The report further speculates that Ali Khamenei’s funeral has been postponed. Iranian officials previously said he would be buried at a Shia holy site in Mashhad, his hometown, and that a public memorial service was planned in Tehran, but the date has not been announced. Later, Iran announced that the funeral was delayed due to an “overwhelming” number of expected attendees, which “clearly does not conform to the Shia tradition of burying as soon as possible.”

However, “The Times” admits that Iran’s move might be to avoid chaos similar to that during Khomeini’s funeral in 1989. At that time, about 10 million people participated, the scene was crowded and chaotic, and the body even slipped from the coffin.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Muqtada al-Husayni (photo)

The paper continues to speculate that although Iran’s state television broadcast two statements from Muqtada, both were read by proxy. On the 6th, the TV station also released a video that appears to be generated by artificial intelligence, showing him entering a war room analyzing a map of a nuclear facility in Dimona, Israel, but without real audio, “further confirming reports that he is still in a critical condition.”

The British media also cited opposition sources claiming Muqtada is in a coma. Some unnamed sources also claimed that Muqtada might have a broken leg or facial injuries.

The report further dramatizes that as Iran’s highest political and religious authority, the “disability” of the Supreme Leader would trigger widespread speculation about the actual power structure of the country. Some believe that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have de facto control, and Muqtada might only be a symbolic figure.

Since being announced as Iran’s new Supreme Leader in early March, Muqtada has not appeared publicly or spoken out, and rumors about his health and safety have been rampant. Kuwaiti media “Al-Qabas” reported in March that Muqtada was injured in the US-Israeli airstrikes, with injuries from his head to his left leg. The British “The Sun” last month quoted sources saying Muqtada has lost at least one leg, and his stomach or liver was severely damaged, with his condition “very serious.” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also claimed that the US has learned Muqtada is injured and that he is likely “disfigured.”

Regarding these rumors, Iran confirmed that Muqtada was injured and was a survivor of the first round of US-Israeli airstrikes, denying all reports that he is “in poor health.” On April 1, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bagheri stated that Muqtada is in good health, and his public appearance was delayed due to the war. On the same day, the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader also posted his first speech on social media.

Currently, Muqtada continues to release messages through the official channel of Iran’s Supreme Leader. According to Russia’s RTVi, the Russian ambassador to Iran said that Muqtada is currently in Iran but “for understandable reasons, he has not appeared publicly.”