Internet Rumor: Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, ‘Is Dead’

Is Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran dead? This is the story being put out this morning by Realite EU, a news service “supported by individuals concerned with the growing threat of Iran and extremism in Europe and the Middle East.” It is unconfirmed and turns out to be based on questionable sources:

According to numerous rumors, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly died on October 14, 2009, of natural causes. The formal announcement is expected by some to be made tomorrow morning, October 15, 2009. Three years ago there were similar rumors which turned out to be false. He is currently 70 years old.

According to some Iran analysts, Khamenei has maneuvered to position his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor. Khamenei has increasingly been described as the “Ali of our times” in the official media – a reference to Ali, the Shia imam who passed on the position to his son Hassan.

The source cited is the highly partial website AntiMullah, which is now hedging its bets:

Some reports coming out of Iran deny the Supreme Leader has died or IS EVEN ILL!

Over the past month, rumors circulated that he was in a coma and his ruthless son Mojtaba was ruling (with Ahmadi-Nejad’s help) in his father’s name … Denial of Khamenei Senior’s death has to overcome some visible changes:

1. Government buildings are being draped in black cloth. (Reports on this come from multiple Twitters).

2. All Islamic Iranian TV announcers have suddenly turned to wearind all black clothing.

3. Bassiji Suppression forces have poured into the streets to enforce crowd control and prevent gatherings, which have not yet taken place.

4. The constant grumbling of clerics about the Supreme Ruler and efforts to replace him with a Ruling Committee have abruptly ceased.

Having him dead instead of the disruptive campaign to unseat him has solved their complaints and now they can go ahead with the “succession” process.

It took nearly two months from the time Ayatollah Khomeini went to hospital and fell into a coma till he was OFFICIALLY pronounced dead.

{The Telegraph-By Damian Thompson/Matzav.com Newscenter}