This story has been floating around the net for the past day or so, but this report comes from a person who is in a position to know such things. As I know very well (having been gulled into wrongly announcing Khamenei’s death a while back), it is easy to be misled, and Khamenei has had previous medical emergencies in the past, and recovered, but the source is excellent. Nonetheless, it’s always smart to apply the Reagan Caution: Trust, but verify. I’m doing my best.
Here is what he/she says:
Yesterday afternoon at 2.15PM local time, Khamenei collapsed and
was taken to his special clinic. Nobody – except his son and the
doctors – has since been allowed to get near him.
His official, but secret, status is: “in the hands of the gods”.AdvertisementReportedly this collapse is natural. Many would like him to move to his
afterlife but reportedly the collapse was not ‘externally induced’
[no poisioning]. The few insiders who know about the collapse see
this development “as a gift from the gods”.His condition had already seriously deteriorated over the last
months, aggravated by his nervous condition due to [1] his
inability to solve the problems created by his manipulation of the
election results and the refusal of [a large part of] the
population to accept this, plus [2] his loss of religious authority
by means of the repeated condemnations of events by senior clericsReportedly the principal aims of Khamenei of the last couple of
weeks, if not months, were to ensure [1] a positive reputation as
his legacy and [2] the physical survival of his family members and
their wealth, reportedly now largely in Syria and in Turkey (remember the truck convoy of $8.5 billion in cash and gold that was seized by the Turks?).Outlook is uncertain but speculation is – considering that he is in
coma since more than 24 hours – that he may not come out of his coma and/or that he may die very soon.If he dies it is expected that immediately a bloody clash will
develop between the powers behind Rafsanjani, who will immediately
claim temporary religious authority and overall control, and the
powers behind Achmadinejad who will scramble in order to regain
control and ensure their survival.
UPDATE (Wednesday Oct 14th): According to a bulletin from the Greens (Moussavi/Karroubi et al), there are widespread rumors in the Tehran Bazaar that Khamenei has died. The Greens say they cannot confirm it, but that there is an “abnormal atmosphere” in the streets, which almost certainly means there are more security people than usual.
The bazaar will apparently be closed tomorrow, and perhaps Friday as well, pending developments.
I am thinking that Khameini’s relatives will not have to fear about the Turks keeping the gold, for Ankara is more interested in expanding its power in the Middle East than in representing the infidel West.
Michael, is it safe to say that the amount of power Khameini has access to is comparable to the amount of power Stalin had? For going on that as a guide, it will take time for matters to sort themselves out, because Krushchev needed time to become the Secretary-General of the Soviet Union.
Hopefully, they can keep this one in the coffin when the time comes.
Ahh finally the day for 72 virgins has come.
Hopefully Obama will use this opportunity to create a peaceful Iran. However given his campaign promise to play nice with Achmadinejad im sure he will just treat this one like the protests of his election. And ignore it. After all if you can get a dictator to support you then you will have more power and thats what this is all about. Not the people of Iran wanting freedom from this regime.
This could be either really good or really bad. Either Amadanutjob will take over in the vacuum, or the country will tear itself apart and democracy might actually succeed. i only wish this happened when the protests were still going more.
Here’s crossing finger that somehow we get a free iran. Even if obama is likely to get credit for it.
There is something brittle about tyrannies. They are not capable of gradual adaptation, they can only shatter when the pressure mounts. With a pyramid of power focussing the stress on the shoulders of a supreme leader, the fall of the empire can be tightly linked with personal tragedy, or personal tragedies at the bottom, as we have seen recently.
In the realm of mechanical engineering, this kind of failure process is known as “brittle fracture”, a catastrophic event of great magnitude, originating at a single point of stress concentration, like Mount St. Helen blowing its top in a huge explosion.
In a modern western perspective, the demise of a singular figure is preferable to continued serfdom of the masses, no matter how charitable you may feel for the ultimate existencial crisis of an aging man.
Ronald Reagan put his neck on the line and voiced the moral challenge that ultimately provoked the crumbling of the soviet union. Could our lucky Nobel laureate be exonerated of his moral duties and simply bear witness to the defeat of the menace of our time, without having had to lift a finger?
It was said today that he met with Zarghami, the head of the state-run IRIB (radio & tv )THIS morning. Also a dissident iranaian website in Germany said today that based on their sources Khamenei was visited by 3 of his personal doctors on Saturday for an emergency case. But the problem with this piece of news was that all the three names given were fake and no such doctors exist.
The demise of Khamenei will bring to a boil the simmering clash between the military and the clergy in Iran. Khamenei’s support for Ahmadinejad’s blatantly fraudulent election came as a surprise and did not sit well with many of Iran’s clerics. Ayatollah Khomeini had set up a theocracy that had within it some form of checks and balances based on the elections of parliament and the presidency, (although candidates are chosen by the Guardian Council). Khamenei was always suspicious of elections and reform and pretty much destroyed the illusion of both in the last election. Standing against him and Ahmadinejad were the power broker Rafsanjani, top cleric Montazeri, Mousavi (second place), Karroubi (third place), Khatami (the reformer), and the people of Iran. Fence sitters like speaker of parliament Larijani will most likely support whoever comes out on top.
Rafsanjani heads the Assembly of Experts, those clerics who will choose the next Supreme Leader; a position Ahmadinejad has no hope of filling. Khamenei barely had the religious creds to hold the job. That will set up a power play between Ahmadinejad and the IRGC, (who are supposed to take their orders from the Supreme Leader), against the Mullahs. I would be interested to hear who Mr. Ledeen thinks the Basij will support, I’m guessing the Mullahs. Rafsanjani will have support from most of the business community but the IRGC has taken bigger and bigger pieces of the economy into their hands. This could get really ugly and could present Obama with excellent opportunities to exploit the situation to America’s advantage but he won’t. Obama doesn’t believe in meddling with other countries, except of course Israel.
Khamenei in coma? How could they tell?
Ba dum pum! I’m here all week folks!
Made me laugh. hahaha
cock and bulss..
“If he dies it is expected that immediately a bloody clash will
develop between the powers behind Rafsanjani, who will immediately
claim temporary religious authority and overall control, and the
powers behind Achmadinejad who will scramble in order to regain
control and ensure their survival.”
That is some heavy duty fuckery, right there.
Death, bloody battles and pure evil from afar, are too easily looked upon with apathy. I cannot construct a sentence that is worthy of a response because I’m living in what some third world soul would consider the lap of luxury.
When I read things like this, I thank God that I live in a peaceful country that is not war torn and ravaged by the worst of what humanity cannot deal with [for now].
All I can do is pray. There is so much hardship in the world and in our own country too…it can be overwhelming to even try to grasp.
ugh. I feel like crying.
Why worry, we have an entire White House and related party that’s comatose and so far we’re surviving.
There is nothing to worry about. Obama will step into his place as the 12th Imam.
If he dies, Iran will be left in turmoil. Iran has been in turmoil since he and his buddies kidnapped our citizens and made a mockery of the Nobel Prize winner, Jimmy Carter. What is new?
If only the Right would jump out of their embarassing ignorance. It is not Achmadi Njead! It’s Ahmadi Nejad!!!! oh and by the way it’s not AIRAN.
If the Supreme Leader ( if I’m not mistaken that translates into German as der uberfuhrer) is really in a coma, what will happen if his situation doesn’t change, if he doesn’t recover and doesn’t die? Arik Sharon has been in a state of low conciousness for nearly four years. A client of mine who was hit by a car has been in a coma since April, 2006.
But the Supreme Leader is supposed to be Allah’s representative on earth. How will they deal with an unconcious leader if the situation persists?
“How will they deal with an unconcious leader if the situation persists?”
See “Wilson, Edith. 1872-1961″.
Moderator: Remove the Ellen one. My bad. sorry.
what great leadership. your family has to flee the country with the loot on your death. now why did the clarics get rid of the shah?
I thought they were gona be differnt lol.
Oh how I wish to trust you, but I have been burnt before. I personally would want him alive and well, so he can watch us slowly and gradually take away his paper palace (persian proverb) and have him tried in a fair courtroom. Anything else will just push back our democratic movement a decade or so.
Michael, the death of Khamenei it is of course the death of the last turban that tyrannizes and oppresses the Iranians. Certainly it is the death of Islamic republic!!!
Jassem Othman, Syrian, Poland.
@ 7 Delia:
No guilty feelings be upon you.
I think the 8.5 billion Turkey seized should be turned over to the UN and when things have settled down in Iran, give it back to the people it was stolen from as reparations for the murders first. Then to the people whose land and businesses were stolen from them and the rest into general funds for Social and Human Rights programs in Iran.
Could you pleas stop spreading rumors?
i am from iran.really?is true?90% of iranian will be happy.death to dictator
i am from iran.really?is true?90% of iranian will be happy if he died.death to dictator
i dont think
Jassem Othman:
“Michael, the death of Khamenei it is of course the death of the last turban that tyrannizes and oppresses the Iranians. Certainly it is the death of Islamic republic!!!”
There is still Ayatullah Ahmad Jannati. Other than being Ahmadinejad’s favorite I don’t know how much power or influence he has.
While this may be a bit ghoulish. I find little charity in my heart for Khamenei. Here is hoping he gets to visit hell sooner rather then later. Or to put it another way Good bye to bad rubbish. With any luck Achmadinejad and Rafsanjani will destroy each other and we will be given a few years of respite from this particular evil. It is a shame we don’t have competent leadership or we might be able to capitalize on this situation, unfortunately we will just have to hope Pres. Obama’s luck holds for a few more days.
I really wish this news was a true.
His Death means WORLD PEACE.
I hope this is true but I doubt ! “Sed Ali Yedast” (Khamenei) has 7 lives !
Yes that is right, he is dead.Iranian Boys and girls killed Him for Green Future
This article might be based on people whose wishes are fathers to the thought, but the Iranians are famous poisoners [Stalin learned their art in getting rid of senior Politburo types before the Purges got up to full throttle by his writing the Soviet history of Georgia, which was ruled by the Safavid and later the Qajar Persian dynasties.]
With Khamanei gone, Rafsanjani will be able to outmanoeuver Ahmedinejad in appointing a successor, but perhaps the smarter members of the militants might do a military “coup de pouce” and get Rafsanjani’s wing under house arrest.
Khamenei is dead for long time ago.
It must have been that Madonna video I sent him. He’s laying there in his coma with “Like a virgin” lyrics bouncing between both his brain cells. When the turban starts charring, he’s done, stick a fork in him.
Still no news has been published in Iran about his death. just a hope among people for the news to be approved. If this comes true now there will be many possibilities: power struggle at the elite level will occure. People will come into the streets to take their rights. therefore a rebelion is inevitable. Ethnic groups will also play their own role in this situation.
Michael could you get me tickets to his funeral. I am ready to pay the going rate. No scalping. He is about to head downward where he will be the usual welcome.
MJ
i wish so,khamenei is the criminal guy,down with him
Poppin’ a top on a Sol and sitting back, ordered a pizza standing by for a show.
Well, when you belong to a pedophilic, murderous, misogynistic cult, banging you head on the floor 5 times a day for a MASSIVE portion of your life is bound to do damage to the 2 or 3 brain cells you had to begin with.
Above all your points, he uses a lot of make up like cream powder to look like Saint. This could cause health problems after 20 years!
What these rascals saying about khamenei is baseless khamenei ia amost piousperson on this earth but rascals and bastad dislike him
Those who aresaying aganst khamenei has no logical proof only they are influnced by propaganda creted by cia. Because cia was defetaed by iran till 30 years so those who are against khaenei should think again andagain and read both newsfrom iran and the permaentliar america because america used atom bomb gave chemical weapons to saddam aganst iran and thesetypeof basterdness uncuntable for america
Every day that goes by AND Khamenei fails to show himself in public, makes your post more credible and accurate. So I’ll give it another 72 hours and see if we could see him shown in public.
If it turns out to be true, I think that makes a powerful situation in favor of people, where Assembly of Experts will require to select a new leader OR as it was mentioned long before, they decide on a 5-people leadership council, where no longer a SINGLE person would be called the leader. I think that is a strong case to come out.
After that things will for sure moves in people’s favor very fast.
I question the authenticity of this report for one reason.
Iranians NEVER refer to “god” as “gods” for any reason. You quoted “gods” twice which makes me think this report was fabricated by somebody that was not very familiar with Islam as it is portrayed inside Iran and the Iranians hesitation to refer to god in a plural manner.
the source is most certainly an iranian iranian, altho not very religious. the source certainly knows about the significance of using “gods” rather than “god.”
This will be great news, if true, for entire Green Movement activists inside and outside Iran.
What some people have opined above, such as the probability of chaotic ocnditions in that case, might be true, or not, but keeping in mind that the country does have a leadership experts coucil commisioned to choose a leader in case of his death minimizes that possibility, despite the fact that they are not real representaitves of the people and in fact appointed by silly Khamenie as his guardians.
Yet, even if that would happen — the mergence of chotic conditions — it would be better than the hell we are at here, under Khamenei’s develish rulership, in which torture and rape at prisons, shooting people in the streets at broad daylight, looting public money as easlily as drinking a gleass of cold water and… have become normal practice of government officials.
Regards for entire freedom fighters around the globe;
A journalist from the largest prison of media people, and everyone else, Iran.
If this report turns out to be correct, then lunch is on me Mr. Ledeen. I even go out of my way and personally cook Persian for you. How about it?
We shall see…
how about a hamburger?
Let him die this mother fucker.
Iran’s leader Khameini is fine, there’s no truth in Michael leeden statment, see the Iran’s news about this in Farsi
http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/pages/?cid=68427
one can only hope!!!!!!
مردم شهید پرور ایران باز هم مصیبتی دیگر غم آخرتون باشد کاشکی راست باشه یکی تایید کنه؟؟
Faster, Please.
Its difficult to believe that you’re still given a venue to voice your opinion after your inept and stupid body of work over the past eight years. Still, its pretty clear that Self-Pwnage Media will take just about anyone. In fact, the dumber you are, the better your chances of getting a regular column.
Give me a hint…is your source named curveball?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.
Very Good
Does the name Hindenburg mean anything here?
If they are going to report it in the morning (Tehran time), it’s gonna happen any time now.
Doubtful if you ask me.
My sixth sense tells me that Khamanai is not dead nor will die so soon. What about the following possibility?:
Khamanai has lost Iranian people’s –including some important clerics’ and Islamists’–respect for ever.This is an impossible situation to be in for a Vali-ye Faqih, a living representative on earth of the Hidden Imam, and ultimately, of the Almighty!
‘Friends and mediators’,e.g. Rafsanjani, and particularly those who want to maintain the prestige and power of the Vilayat-e Faqih for themselves, might have convinced Khamanai to resign ‘on the basis of ‘the doctors’ concerns for his health, and their recommendations for him to go abroad for treatment’.
So, the self-leaked rumors of his serious illness, almost death, could just be a pretext for the ‘peaceful transfer of power’ to a like-minded and trusted mulla. Khamanai will leave ‘for treatment’ abroad — may be Moscow this time, remaining there to protect the stolen wealth for his whole gang of mullas-thugs, in case something REAL happens in Iran. Malek Towghi, MI
Just to put this in perspective, Khamenei is just 355 days older than Ringo Starr… I remember when Ringo was cool..damn, I feel old…
Just thought I throw that out there….
Cheers
ER White
@Rancher:
At present, the situation is basically different, where the Iranian people risking and sacrificing their lives for their freedom against religious fanatic regime.
If Khamenei die, per se collapsing of the spiritual theocratic political base in the Islamic Republic. No doubt will be the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic!!!
And then there is this: http://www.worldthreats.com/?p=1725#more-1725
Another bat flies into hades.
Ledeen in his own words:
the source is most certainly an iranian iranian, altho not very religious. the source certainly knows about the significance of using “gods” rather than “god.”
A poor thinker. Not a very good speller either.
Damned Swine Flu
We will all have to wait and see if this story is true. If it is true then more not less dangerous times are ahead. Nature abhors a vacuum. Given the way power is really held in Iran dangerous times are ahead. Some one might try to make thier bones by inciting violence both within and outside Iran. I am very concerned. I would have preferred that the citizens of Iran would have been able to sieze power before this happened, if it is true, because the vestigages of control would still be present. Now there might be a scramble to see who is loyal to who. Russia might move in and take over knowing that Obama would do nothing.By the way a story today said Putin Retained power to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike. Could this have even been possible with the Cowboy President still in power?
The song by Drowning Pool comes to mind, “Let the bodies hit the floor…die motherf#’r die”
ha ha. it is just a false news, I have heard 3 times like this news until now and about Fidel Castro.
Khameneie has been showing his power in issuing the commands in some matters, even higher than real god’s level. This part is the red-tape of his life and his philosophy in the world.
Michael, I just hope your source is right!!! Of course they say a lot of these thing here in Iran. But if it’s true this time, its definitely a gift from God to the Iranian people which could not have come at a better time!!! If this is true, nobody can keep the Iranian people from going out on the streets and celebrating! Sara
looks like this is false. No announcement today and this has been denied by the ambassador to Armenia.
Why are people spreading false rumors?
Is there a link to the story behind this $8.5 billion truck convoy that is referred to in passing?
Dear Mr Ledeen,
yesterday evening I was thinking about you, your efforts, your lightness, your dedication to a noble cause, and I thought I should send you a note of support and love and then, miraculously I see you on Fox&Friends the morning after!! (plus, after so many years).
I was delighted and I smiled at God.
THANX to all real Patriots across the globe!!!
BaghdadPOP
thanks, much appreciated.
I thought that old ba$tard was already dead!! Hopefully he will kick the bucket this time. I bet the crazies will have a freak show at that funeral.
#47 Shabib. What are you taking about? Good riddance to Khamenei, whether now or in the future.
This may be the first piece of good news coming from that country in a while. You may want to send you condolences
at: http://www.leader.ir/langs/EN/index.php?p=suggest.
Mr. Ledeen,
Let me guess: your source is on twitter. He/she posts a lot on #iranelection hash tag.
Appears to be very credible.
Sorry, my guess is you are being duped by a criminal conspiracy that centers around a very strange cult of twitter profiles.
I have some information about this on our website: http://iran115.org/blacklist
If your source is on twitter. They are a group of people who appear to be a fraud and a sham. A criminal conspiracy which may also be connected to people who could care less about democracy in Iran.
I as well wish it was true. But, I think you have been duped again.
Feel free to call me at 202-509-0933 if this turns out you were duped.
By the way, this group of pirates/criminals is connected to Austinheap and some project that is called haystack network. They claim they are helping to provide unfiltered internet in Iran. They are collecting donations and USB thumb drives. A very dangerous situation.
Jamshid
Democratic nation of iran
http://iran115.org
Freedom, democracy, & human rights.
202-509-0933
I am sure its not true the Kamenei has died and even if he has fallen ill or in coma he would surely come back to normal life soon. All those who are expecting such an event, let me tell you you all will are loosers and will keep loosing
take my words
he will live and be alright in the name of God
based on what?
I’d never wish death on anyone! But I hope that idiot is dead! And I hope all of his followers and the other morons that absolutely ruined a country with so much historical value also follow in his footsteps and die! They are all worthles excuses for humans!! Give the country back to their people!
http://bit.ly/37sNwO it’s a rumor among many others !
I found surprising that no expat anti- mullahs sites didn’t edit such a new !
I don’t doubt your sources but I live in Tehran (and I’m not Iranian nor married to an Iranian) and haven’t seen any particular display of security forces around, although I spend most of my time moving around the city. Plus, the Bazar is always closed on Fridays. So, not a surprise that will be closed tomorrow or yesterday, for that matter, because it was a public holiday. So many people took a long weekend. Really to know what it is going on here, you need to be here. Best.
The Bazaar is NOT closed on Thursdays, it’s usually open until 2 o’clock.
I find it hard to believe that the highest Islamic figure in Iran would have people close to him describe his fate as “in the hands of the gods,” since Islam is monotheistic. Imagine if the Pope’s archbishops were quoted as saying that about Benedict’s health in a similar situation! It just… doesn’t really make any sense whatsoever.
To Angelica:
It is not necessary to live in Iran and be aware of the real goings.
In many cases it is only the opposite. In repressive dictatorial, totalitarian regimes people are kept in silence and realities are not real, and news come in to people through either satellite dishes, short wave radios, internet or plain communications from family and friends abroad. I have a cousin who just came in to US from Iran 2 weeks ago. He told me stories of people’s resistance and courageous fight against the barbaric regime. He also told me that no news whatsoever comes from the regime’s organs of communications such as their government controlled TV’s, radios and newspapers. He told me that people get their news from satellite stations and Internets, twitters and facebooks, and more than anything else from actual realities on the streets of all cities. Regime continues to keep people in the dark not knowing that people do get their information no matter what and no matter how much regime invests in technical equipment from China to stop the flow of information, the educated population in Iran always find their ways to defy this 7th century bunch of rag head barbarians. This is 21st century and Iranians are among the world’s most educated and informed people and the monsters ruling them are in serious pain because of it. My cousin continued to say that lately the regime dispersed the plain clothed basiji killers around the streets in Tehran to stop any possible outbreak of new protests from people. They have been ordered NOT to attack people in case of any fresh protest but instead take their pictures from the new equipments purchased from China and find their locations and then go to get them on the next day and kill them on the spot. This way it shows to the real world that the regime allows people to protest (putting on a fake human face) but in realities all protesters caught on camera, later captured and killed brutally.
This regime by far is the most barbaric regime in the history of humanity in that it is capable of showing such chameleon qualities that we Iranians know it is all possible only from the “MULLAHS AND MULLAHS” ALONE!!!! thus is the most dangerous of its kind. It catches you, leaches on you and sucks you to death without you even being aware of it.
Now I hope that my very naive Western friends who have been fortunate enough to live in civilized societies and free ones as well and never a chance to either experience or read such stories, can comprehend and acknowledge such horrific realities.
Regime change in Iran is a must for the world peace and security!
If he dies, Iran will pursue his death as a glorification and the democratic movements will be pushed back furthermore.
G-d Willing! It would be a day of national celebration
Yeahhhhhhh!
This is nothing but a lie. We Iranians haven’t forgotten what you said around 2 years ago, also proclaiming The Supreme Leader has passed away.
Mr. Ledeen, take your greasy nose out of our internal affairs. Long live Khamenei
Such ‘tentatively’ great news! Long Live The FREE IRAN NOW movement! Ghassem, you said your piece, now I’m saying my peace. I hope he dies and takes all the rottenness with him so that the good and decent Persians may finally be able to live in peace. Just because you are afraid to try it, do not deny your brothers and sisters their opportunity. Shame on you.
Folks, when a society is in info lockdown mode (like Iran is), stuff like this happens… Sort of like the cold war days and trying to read between the lines in Pravada, See who’s picture is in the paper, who stands where on May day.. etc… Always facsinating but hit and miss as far as accuracy… But ya gotta try…
In an Open society, this wouldn’t be an issue. Instead, it would be candlelight vigils praying for the old gent’s release and remembering him for a job well done, like when Pope John Paul died… Instead, this man will die like Stalin did… alone, unmourned and kicked to the curb as soon as possible while the deadly political infighting starts over his still warm body… One hell of a legacy for one man to leave…
Tried to lighten things up with the Ringo Starr thing, but some people take their love of despots too seriously….
Cheers (?)
ER White
I agree with Shiraz #104. And the ‘fake human face’of the regime…you can tell everytime you even look at a picture of ahmadinejad that he is an evil, lying sob. The one thing going for the people of Iran is the ability of their young adults to communicate to the rest of the world thru the internet and mobile phones. They know first hand what is going on, and they want the rest of the world to know.
the evil in that part of the world is immense….the reason? they are reptilian….and reptilian are evil to the core….the leaders are the Alpha evil of them all..and most are NOT godly at all, but in fact Luciferian, as is the Vatican…. down with evil and down with the mullah’s and the Vatican…
Media Lie
If this is true, 90% of Iranian will be extremely happy. A lot of innocent people have been killed by his direct order.
Time for Jimmy Carter to run the show !
My sources in Enterprise Institute and Pajamas media tell me Micheal Ledeen has been in a Coma for the past few days and Doctors have stated their hopelessness from his ever waking up.
God Bless his satanic soul
you don’t even know where I work.
Oh Micheal you don’t work at Foundation for Defense of Democracies anymore? that’s good, u should defend democracies by making up rumors
…. it was Atrian far who gave you the false news in 2007, who was it this time?
heh, you can’t even read your own comment. try a rest cure, why don’t you?
Michael, in fact I can read my own comments, it’s just that you don’t get the irony, when you have second hand sources who are not in Grand Ayatollah Khamenei’s circle of trust anymore (e.g Atrian far in 2007) you end up spreading false news. It’s comparable to me getting your news from your previous co workers in EI. Think about it Michael, Seriously, those people (reformists) are not in Ayatollah’s circle of trust anymore, they know nothing more than you
Yet we still haven’t heard from Khamenei that this rumors of his death are greatly exaggerated. Why would they let this rumor fester if it isn’t true? The only reason I can think of is to exploit the belief, but no one seems to be doing anything.
They released photos of him meeting with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade today.
http://farsi.khamenei.ir/photo-album?id=8234
@Rancher, why should they fall in the trap of responding to every rumor? if they want to show that every rumor Michael and his friends make up is baseless they’d have to close down normal business in Iran and start playing a game that Michael and his former co workers in C.I.A define its rules and limits. They are much smarter than falling in that trap. They will just act normal with respect to rumors and you will see and hear from Grand Ayatollah Khamenei in the coming days, but remember, unlike what you might have been told by the mainstream media in the west, Ayatollah Khamenei is not a dictator who shows up on TV everyday to give long speeches, he is a religious man who plays his rule in a organicly integrated system that is compatible with Iran’s political and social nature. He does not play more or less than required by the law.
(I hope Michael Will let my comment appear here despite our political difference)
differences of all sorts are welcome here. what is not welcome–listen carefully please–is libelous falsehoods such as “his former co-workers in CIA…”
you’ve confused me with somebody else.
What is your take on the suicide bombing that killed 5 elite members of the Republican Guard in SE Iran? Is this the start of a something bigger given the alleged death of Khamenei? Do you believe there is “support” for these uprising outside of Iran…. if not… now is the time for “outside supporters” to get supporting!!
#Amirahmadi: “Ayatollah Khamenei is not a dictator”
Mr Amirahmadi! Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader, he who oversees all affairs of state and controls everything in the country, where the Iranian judiciary system quite works under his supervision. he makes laws alone and all his laws or fatwas go unchallenged where his ideas becomes statutes in the country. By his repressive judiciary system “his fatwas” He oppresses his people, as his persecution for political activists and for freedom of speech and expression.
Khamenei who has the ultimate responsibility for the presidential election decision in Iran, and Khamenei who has influence over elections in his appointment of half of the members of the Council of Guardians, who approve or disqualify the candidates.
After the events of the 2009 Iranian presidential election, the Iranians themselves who wrote “Death to Khamenei, Death to Dictator” on walls and upon the buildings and Iranian banknotes, and that Iranians themselves who calling the Iran’s supreme leader “Ayatollah Khamenei” in dictator and demanding his removal and nevertheless you are arguing surprisingly saying: “Ayatollah Khamenei is not a dictator”.
Mr Amirahmadi, you just trying to discredit Michael Ledeen! I would like to tell you as a citizen from your terrible world, the terrible backward Middle East: “Dr Michael Ledeen is noble man and much worthy of respect, he struggle strongly to make you a member of the civilized FRE DEVELOPED world.”
Jassem Othman, Syrian.
Mr Ledeen, I believe it’s against freedom of speech to censor your readers’ comments, three of my comments have not been published under this article and my comments were not violating any rules.
Dear Jassem Othoman,
Maybe things work like that in Syria, but not in Iran, the fact that Syria is a backward country doesn’t mean that all countries in middle east are backward. Mr Khamenei doesn’t make laws nor does he order capture or torture of anyone, judiciary system is very well independent of other organizations in Iran and in fact Mr Khamenei is under scrutiny of council of experts, if he makes a move that is considered against constitution or islamic law he loses his religious power and thus the council removes him from leadership.
I am not trying to discredit Mr Ledeen at all and I respect him but Mr Ledeen has discredited himself by the false claims he has made in the past regarding death of Ayatollah Khamenei in 2007. More over, according to washington monthly, Mr Ledeen is accused of Yellow Cake forgery regarding Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussien , which included providing CIA with forged document and accusing Saddam’s regime of buying uranium from Nigeria. (Source: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0410.marshallrozen.html)
I believe Mr Ledeen has discredited himself by working with sources such as Manouchehr Ghorbanifar, who is under CIA watch for document forgery and fraud (Source: Same as above).
Mr Ledeen discredited himself when he got himself involved in Iran Contra thru Ghorbanifar and Mcfarlin. (Source: Time magazine article published in 1987 http://205.188.238.109/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963262-1,00.html )
Finally, my friend Jassem, I hope Mr Ledeen helps you get out of the terrible place you live in, and maybe he can help you seek refuge in states (since you used your real name and your life is in danger in Syria now! – nice trick to seek refuge abroad!) I know living under Baath party shouldn’t be that good, but don’t generalize your opinion about your country to another country when you have never been there and u know nothing about their system. In fact Iran is the most developed country in middle east regarding social life and economic prosperity and we don’t need Mr Ledeen or anyone else’s help to save us.
no, actually Israel is by far the most developed country in the Middle East. And the freest. As for your last clause, I don’t think a blogger is going to change events in Iran one way or the other. Only the Iranians are capable of that.
Michael,
I believe if you visit Iran you’ll change your mind, I seriously recommend that you do.
My friend Jassem,
if you play good, maybe neo cons can help you get out of the terrible middle eastern life in syria just like they helped Farid Ghadry from Syria and Abbas Fakhravar
#Amirahmadi and to others who try to discredit Dr Ledeen!!!
Please read it with profound attention and a big interest.
You are only good for throwing out visceral and apathy or maybe you are a very immature young man. I use my real name because I am not a coward!!! Believe me; I do not believe in our culture and civilization “Arab and Muslim culture”, it is a terribly backward and extremely late, as well as, it is terrible world UNLESS someday will be free secular world and tolerant accept others. In general I BELIEVE strongly in civilized world and amazing technology.
I live in Poland a long-time, before I know Dr Ledeen. My love to freedom and to the west life, and my admire of Jewish mentality and my scorn to fossilized Moslem mentality that extremely late, and my hatred and despising to the jittery arbitrariness regimes and illegitimate monarchies made me to be in touch with Dr Michael Ledeen, particularly “Neo-conservatives” Because I am very admire and proud of them, they are worthy of respect. I have been reading for Dr Ledeen approx for four years.
In fact that the Neo-conservatism position on the Middle East conflict was exactly congruous with the neo-conservative position on conflicts everywhere else in the world, including places where neither Jews nor Israeli interests could be found. For instance, the American Neo-conservatives had played an effective role to fell the Soviet Communist Empire. They had played an effective role to supporting democracy and freedom revolutions in middle Europe. The Neo-conservatives and traditional conservatives during Reagan’s administration all have played an effective role during the Cold War – their distinct mindset had been defeated the Soviet Communism Empire. Eventually they brought Americans to the most perfect possible triumph in the cold war “victory without shedding bloods”. Morally we should don’t deny the facts! Didn’t they?!
For example, Poland is a VERY GOOD EXAMPLE I HAVE SEEN OF AMAZING DEMOCRATIC TRANSFORMATIONS after mid-90s. I have seen amazing tremendous transformations in all scopes in Poland since I came before the end of the 90s. The amazing democratic transformations that had taken place over the past 20 year generally in Eastern Europe had a great meaning for those countries, especially the deep changes within the macro-social system and the subsequent political and economical transformations. Today the Polish economy has become one of the most dynamically developing ones in Europe. The country has changed and that Polish people became have differing views, the younger people are greatly revelling in the freedom and the modern lifestyle that democracy has brought. The life had basically definitely changed in Poland by the start of 1990, after the fall of totalitarian system or the black old days over. They are free people ONLY THANKS to American mind!!!
However, you should learn from those courageous nations as (the revolution of jasmine in Romania, the Ukrainian orange revolution, the romantic revolution in Georgia, the Solidarity revolution in Poland, and other peaceful revolutions as happened in Czechoslovakian and Hungary and Bulgaria). But unfortunately, the nature of your mentality and thinking are basically different, the reason is that Muslim mentality is an fossilized mentality and strongly believes in violence and holy war to confront any positive change in their life, for instance like your mentality! We describe any change for our good in a “conspiracy between the west and Israel” against Islam and against our values and culture.
Mr Amirahmadi, as for the USA, the US is Benevolent Empire for nations; American Colonialism had played a benevolent effective role for nations. the United States colonialism helped to create a economies many countries and made it a high notable standing and respected between the nations.
That countries consider are of the biggest economic power in the world such as (Japan, Germany, Italy and South Korea). Today all countries above in addition to Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong is sometimes considered Western are consider developed nations have a similar economic system and welfare to the West. Some are a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and has a similar standard of living to the west, high human development, and electoral democracy.
All that countries has categorized of advanced economies countries group and high income.
Why Vietnam is considering one of the poorest countries in the World?! While all countries above consider developed nations and have a similar economic system and welfare to the West!!! while our nations which possess more than 74 % of Global Oil Reserves are consider un-developed and extremely late and violent, nations do NOT have a social welfare system an civilized similar at least similar to Eastern Europe countries or Singapore, a nations living purely the backwater in all scopes. Because wherever the Islamic system rules it is just terrible, NO human rights, NO animal rights, NO women rights and No democracy in anyone, there is NO infrastructures development, NO rational educational curriculum, NO high human development, NO healthy Care, NO economic development or social.
Consequently, that tribal illegitimate monarchies and jittery corrupt arbitrariness regimes ruling countries which possess Largest Oil Reserves in the World, they are the main responsible to exporting a suicide culture and terrible atrocities and killing of innocents ruthlessly everywhere on the earth and in the name of Allah or Mullah. That coward malignant regimes GRANTED the terrorist armed groups in the region overwhelmingly support a materially and militarily, where the enormous Oil revenues became in service of jihad against so-called infidels “Zionists and Crusaders” ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE OIL ONLY THANKS TO ZIONISTS AND CRUSADERS, Furthermore aspirant regimes to arming WMD. That tribal illegitimate monarchies and clerical governments did NOT grant its people a comprehensive cultural life; they tyrannized their people, massacred them, ruthlessly oppressed them, and impoverished them.
As for the smart State “Israel”:
Mr Amirahmadi, Israel is developed considerably and it regarded as important part of the West culture. Israel is the only State is developed in the region, and the only State is practicing real democracy in the Middle East. Most of Islamic States are governs on the basis of Koran and Sunna (Islamic Sharia) and its emblem is “martyrdom and sword” or jihad and sword (terror), while Israel governs on the basis of law and its emblem is “human development, enlightenment and prosperity”.
Regarding WMD and Iraq freedom war:
In any way Saddam was internationally known to possess weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical weapon and biological where Saddam used it savagely toward his people such as genocide, expulsions and lethal gassing of his own people over past 35 years. Iraqi forces had been using chemical weapons toward their own people. Iraqi forces had been using mustard and paralyzing gases as well as mass execution when Saddam massacred more than 100000 Kurds in the genocide in the 1980s. What is more, most of mass cemeteries are still not found yet. Because of his aggression and military hysteria, was pursuing development of nuclear weapon with a desire of founding an evil military arsenal although Iraqi people did not have money to buy bread. Saddam tyrannized the Iraqi people and impoverished them and massacred them, all that atrocities are evidence adequate enough to justify the decision of war against that savage regime and decisively to justify the court judgment by execution, Saddam deserves more than one execution, and it is necessary to bring all tyranny leaders to justice and make them prosecute by their own people. We know that Saddam used the chemical weapons and biological savagely against his people, so at least the WMD it was existed in Iraq, that is to say Saddam has attempted to acquire WMD!!! Wasn’t he?! But the question of life and death is, where has it disappeared?! Was it all dismantled by UN inspectors or smuggled to another country?! We know that Saddam expelled the international inspectors, because it was the major reason that regime was hiding pernicious something.
However, please do NOT forget thousands of victims who Saddam executed them by shooting, hanging and throwing them live into holes with explosives. Only he paid the price of his terrible acts. Though came a kind of the sanctimonious men trying to abuse to reputation and discredit those who had participated of Iraq freedom war in view of that war was not legal and was just for oil according to their claim. I WOULD ASK THEM: Did remove the Taliban for oil too? Did NATO support the Moslems in Kosovo for that same purpose? It was strong support by leading the USA.
Obviously they wrote and spoke lies and trumped-up charges in the right of the advocates of freedom. One of these slanderous indictments is the Niger uranium story, simply I marvel! Why they attempting to defame facts? Maybe they are deaf and blind.
Once again; SADDAM WAS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN TO POSSESS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD), such as chemical weapon and biological where Saddam used it savagely against his people. Isn’t he? In this case, Iraq was a Rogue State and aspirant to possess WMD, so the matter of bringing the Uranium from Niger or from elsewhere IT WAS PROFOUNDLY PREDICTABLE like Saddam’s regime to possess it. Moreover, Saddam Hussein had been at war with the United States since 1991, using his oil to fund terrorists, build an arsenal, and attack his neighbors including Iran and also once attacked both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The United States has a legitimate right to self-defense after atrocities 9/11.
However, it is shame on you do focus on insignificant causes like documents of the Niger uranium, while, they DISREGARDING the humanity sensitive causes and rationales in the right of the Iraqi people such as genocide, mass execution, expulsions and lethal gassing. I implore you, please do NOT forget thousands of victims who Saddam executed them by shooting, hanging and throwing them alive into holes with explosives.
Well, supposedly, if that issue of documents was true!? Of course just Mr. George Tenet HIMSELF is personally responsible about that issue. Unfortunately they blame Dr Ledeen on mistakes of the US’s institutions it was only their fault NOT Dr Ledeen. In spite of the fact it was merely a TRUMPED-UP CHARGE FABRICATED TO DEFAME in noblemen credibility who struggle strongly for people freedom. But sadly there are ignorant people like you believing in such absurdities!!! Mr Amirahmadi, that regimes are the major supporter of international terrorism, so the world will be without them safer.” So the necessity has NO law (the necessity has “or knows” NO law). Yes, WE NEED MORE AND MORE OF FORGED DOCUMENTS TO BRING DOWN ALL OPPRESSIVE REGIMES BECAUSE THEY ARE ILLEGITIMATE REGIMES, WHERE THEY RULE FORCIBLY. THEY MUST BE HUMILIATED NOT THE ADVOCATES OF FREEDOM. And it is necessary temporarily to resort to evil actions to achieve worthy objectives to remove any despot leader.
However, if the judiciary system in Iran is very well independent of other organizations as you mentioned, but whatever the cause, in Iran, there are kinds of harsh interrogation methods and sentences to death by the Iranian government and kinds of brutal torture against activists in Iran. So the outrage of many people at your governments callous disregard for civil liberties, there are arrests and repression of labour activists in Iran. In addition, many labour activists in Iran are under suspended sentences or await trials and are suspended or expelled from their workplace as the result of their labour activities.
THE IRANIANS THEMSELVES WHO WROTE AND YELLING “DEATH TO KHAMENEI, DEATH TO DICTATOR”.
By the way, Poland is a place where more Jews killed than in any other country in the world. Approx. more than three million Jews were murder in all extermination camps in Poland by Nazis and their collaborators. Auschwitz was the most feared of all the death camps, about 2 million Jews were killed HERE IN POLAND in ways that are not humane, such as shooting them, or gassing them in chambers, or even burning them alive. IT IS CONSIDERABLY TOUCH MY HEART because I lived in the area where the Jews had suffered severely. And though your regime every single day denies the Holocaust, and makes international conferences to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust. How terrible!!!
Finally, I do NOT believe that you respect Dr Ledeen, I am sorry to say but YOU are a liar and you do not know what you say! You wrote “God Bless his satanic soul”, so I wonder, how you respect Dr Ledeen as long as you describe him in Satan?!
Dr Ledeen is one of those who bring sunshine into the lives of oppressed people, so he is much worthy of respect!!!
You really need Dr Ledeen to HELP you to get out of the terrible mentality and evil ideas.
Jassem Othman, Syrian, Poland.
Dear Mr Ledeen, what do you have to say to this?
http://farsi.khamenei.ir/photo-album?id=8253&pid=89236
I believe your news turns out to be false again, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei has met with Koran researchers today.
May god keep him for us as he is a wise leader.
Best of luck to you and your unreliable sources.
These pictures are from the archives, they are about a year old. Pathetic.
If he were healthy, he’d have been on television talking to the people or to the RG about the catastrophe in Balouchistan, not talking to a group of women about the importance of studying Koran day and night. But all we have are old photos and videos, and “statements” issued by his staff.
I believe he is still in very bad shape, and that the elite of the regime believes the same thing. Ahmadinejad cancelled a long scheduled trip to Isfahan yesterday, most likely because he doesn’t want to leave Tehran with the Supreme Leader in crisis. Anyway, we’ll know after a bit.
Mr Ledeen, I understand your argument but I believe you are a little bit misled by comparing Mr khamenei to third world dictators, Mr khamenei is not a media shy celebrity, but he doesn’t seek media attention either, your argument is based on him not appearing on televised speeches is understandable if you are talking about someone like Castro, Ayatollah Khamenei doesn’t appear on daily televised speeches everyday. Also There’s no proof that those photos are archive photos.
This is the respect in which philosophy today is in his view, a complex form of systematic and axiomatic thought: modern philosophy is an axiomatic conviction, a modern conviction, which begins from the event of our times. ,
I am quite surprised at your audacity. Didn’t you realize your lies would be exposed? I suppose the footage of Khamenei meeting with Sharif University students and getting criticized by a student is from the archives too.
You, sir are the pathetic one. Stick your greasy nose out of our internal affairs and go jump off a duck
Khamenei is a threat for the world
Khamenei is a threat for the world
khamenei is a Threat for the world
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“khamenei is a threat for the world”
khamenei is a threat for the world
Another false story. I have not said Khamenei is dead.
“perenially” is a bit much, don’t you think? “once,” anyway, as I noted myself.