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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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NKorea's Kim Threatens to Destroy South with Nuclear Strikes if Provoked

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the training base of the special operations unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in an undisclosed location in the west of North Korea, 02 October 2024 (issued 04 October 2024). EPA/KCNA
A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the training base of the special operations unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in an undisclosed location in the west of North Korea, 02 October 2024 (issued 04 October 2024). EPA/KCNA
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NKorea's Kim Threatens to Destroy South with Nuclear Strikes if Provoked

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the training base of the special operations unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in an undisclosed location in the west of North Korea, 02 October 2024 (issued 04 October 2024). EPA/KCNA
A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the training base of the special operations unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in an undisclosed location in the west of North Korea, 02 October 2024 (issued 04 October 2024). EPA/KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened to use nuclear weapons and destroy South Korea permanently if provoked, state media reported Friday, after the South’s leader warned that Kim’s regime would collapse if he attempted to use nuclear arms.

During a visit to a special operation forces unit on Wednesday, Kim said his military “would use without hesitation all the offensive forces it possesses, including nuclear weapons,” if South Korea attempts to use armed forces encroaching upon the sovereignty of North Korea, according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.
“If such a situation comes, the permanent existence of Seoul and the Republic of Korea would be impossible,” Kim said, using South Korea’s official name.
Kim’s statement was a response to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s speech at his country’s Armed Forces Day on Tuesday. Unveiling South Korea’s most powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile and other conventional weapons that could target North Korea, Yoon said the day that North Korea tries to use nuclear weapons would be the end of the Kim government because Kim would face “the resolute and overwhelming response” of the South Korean-US alliance.
According to The Associated Press, Kim responded that Yoon’s address fully betrayed his “bellicose temerity” and showed “the security uneasiness and irritating psychology of the puppet forces.”
In a derisive comment, Kim called Yoon "an abnormal man,” saying that “the puppet Yoon bragged about an overwhelming counteraction of military muscle at the doorstep of a state that possesses nuclear weapons.” On Thursday, Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, also ridiculed South Korea's showcasing of the Hyunmoo-5 missile, saying there there’s no way for South Korea to counter the North Korea’s nuclear forces with conventional weapons.
On Friday, South Korea’s military said North Korea was again flying balloons likely carrying trash across the border into South Korea. Since late May, North Korea has launched thousands of rubbish-carrying balloons toward South Korea, prompting South Korea to resume anti-Pyongyang propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts at border areas.