Social media is ablaze with rumors that Iranian dictator Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died. Iranian state-media has yet to confirm or deny such rumors.
Cairo-based journalist Gamal Sultan wrote on social media that Khamenei died after suffering from a bout with prostate cancer, after surgery failed to alter the course of his demise, according to Rassd News Network.
Middle East blogger Daniel J. Levy wrote on Twitter late Saturday: “Hearing unconfirmed reports from a usually very reliable source of Ayatollah Khamenei’s death today.”
On Friday, Iranian media confirmed that “The commander of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, his health deteriorated on Friday morning, and was admitted to a Tehran hospital,” reported Al Bawaba News.
Reports on Thursday revealed that the “Supreme Leader” may have been hospitalized and was said to be in critical condition, according to Israel Hayom. Khamenei, 75, was reportedly rushed to the hospital due to complications from his ongoing bout with cancer.
France’s Le Figaro released a report regarding the Ayatollah’s health last week. Citing intelligence sources, the paper estimated that Khamenei only had two years left to live, due to his cancer reaching stage four and spreading throughout the entirety of his body. Iranian media confirmed last year that Khamenei was hospitalized due to complications with his cancer.
Since 1989, Khamenei has ruled over the ancient Persian country with an iron fist, succeeding his predecessor, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in instituting Islamic law over Iran.