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Iranian Official Denies Rumors of Decline in Khamenei’s Health

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (AFP)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (AFP)
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Iranian Official Denies Rumors of Decline in Khamenei’s Health

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (AFP)
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (AFP)

An official close to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei denied rumors on social media on Monday that the 81-year-old's health was deteriorating.

"By the grace of God and with the good prayers of devotees, the gentleman (Khamenei) is in good health and is busy vigorously carrying out his plans according to his routine," the official, Mehdi Fazaeli, said on Twitter.

Fazaeli has worked in an office publishing Khamenei's work.

His tweet was also reported by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

The statement about Khamenei's health appeared to be a response to reports by several news organizations, which referred to a tweet by a journalist who said Khamenei had transferred duties to his son because of his health.

Khamenei has served as supreme leader since 1989, with the final say on all state matters. His health has been the subject of speculation for years.

A security official in Israel, which closely follows events in its enemy Iran, told Reuters: "We are aware of these rumors, and regard them as rumors only."

The Tehran bourse's index fell 10,000 points, or about 0.7% on Monday.

The state news agency IRNA blamed the decline on a "rumor widely exchanged on social media", without giving details. But news websites, including bultannews.com, said the market was reacting to the rumors about Khamenei's health.

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Iran Rules Out Israeli Strike on its Nuclear Facilities

A billboard displays a phrase in Persian saying: "Iran ignites the fire in the darkness of history" in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran (EPA).
A billboard displays a phrase in Persian saying: "Iran ignites the fire in the darkness of history" in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran (EPA).
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Iran Rules Out Israeli Strike on its Nuclear Facilities

A billboard displays a phrase in Persian saying: "Iran ignites the fire in the darkness of history" in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran (EPA).
A billboard displays a phrase in Persian saying: "Iran ignites the fire in the darkness of history" in Vali Asr Square in central Tehran (EPA).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ruled out the possibility of Israel launching strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in response to the second direct missile attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Israeli territory.

“We doubt that Israel would dare to attack our nuclear facilities,” Iranian state agencies quoted Araghchi as saying. He reiterated that his country is fully prepared to retaliate against any potential Israeli aggression with a stronger response than before.

This comes as Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced on Wednesday that it has secured its nuclear sites against any possible Israeli attack. Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday, claiming it was in retaliation for Israeli attacks that killed leaders from Hezbollah and Hamas in Beirut and Tehran.

Araghchi's comments came amidst speculation about Tel Aviv’s potential response to the missile strike, which targeted three military bases and a Mossad headquarters in Israel. Western analysts suggested that Israel might attack strategic sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities and petrochemical plants, to deal a significant blow to the country’s already struggling economy, exacerbated by US sanctions.

In this context, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called for a decisive strike to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities, asserting that Israel now has the justification and tools to cripple the regime. Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Iran should “pay a heavy price” for the attack, emphasizing that Israel must send a strong message to Tehran and its allies across the region.

For his part, US President Joe Biden indicated that he would not support an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking on Wednesday, Biden responded with a firm "No" when asked if he would back such a move following Iran's missile barrage.

Among the potential Iranian targets in an Israeli strike is the Natanz facility, which has experienced multiple sabotage attempts since 2003. Another target could be the Fordow facility, where Iran enriches uranium to 60%. Military installations, including IRGC missile bases near Tehran, are also likely to be on Israel’s radar.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have warned that if Israel attacks, they are ready to retaliate by targeting Israeli nuclear facilities. The commander of the IRGC unit responsible for protecting Iran’s nuclear sites stated that Iran's missile forces are prepared to strike back against Israel in the event of an attack.

The commander further emphasized that Israel’s nuclear facilities are under Iran's intelligence surveillance, and that Iran possesses the necessary information to accurately target these sites. He added that Iran's missile systems are primed and ready to launch retaliatory strikes if needed.

Historically, Israel has conducted airstrikes on nuclear facilities in the Middle East, such as the destruction of Iraq's Tammuz reactor in 1981 and a Syrian reactor in 2007.