Iran supreme leader said to be in critical condition

Ali Khamenei, 76, suffering from prostate cancer, according to unspecified reports; reportedly assessed to have two years to live

By ToI Staff 5 March 2015, 11:47 am Edit

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech in Tehran (AP/Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/File)

Arabic media outlets reported Wednesday that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was hospitalized in critical condition, days after a different report indicated doctors had given the ayatollah only two years to live.

The Israel Hayom daily on Thursday reported that the supreme leader was rushed to the hospital and has undergone surgery, citing “Arab media reports.”

He is said to be in serious condition. The reports could not be immediately confirmed.

French paper Le Figaro cited Western intelligence over the weekend that the 76-year-old was suffering from stage four prostate cancer that spread to other parts of his body, with doctors assessing he has, at most, two years to live.

Khamenei has been rumored to be ill for years. In September of last year, he underwent prostate surgery, with his official Twitter account maintaining that it was successful.

The reports come as Iran and the Western powers race to formulate a nuclear deal before the end of the month — a deal Khamenei will have to sign off on in order for it to pass.