Iran's Supreme Mullah Leader Will Be Dead Soon

[Sarge]

Reports are that this guy has assumed room tempreature


http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_19925.shtml


Iran's Supreme Mullah Leader, Ali Khamenei is seriously ill and will have to be replaced in the coming months as he is no longer capable of holding office, according to Assembly of Experts member mullah Nasseri. The powerful mullah body appoints and oversees the country's supreme leader. "Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is gravely ill - he can no longer see very well, has difficulty hearing, and is no longer able to properly perform his duties," Nasseri told a women's group.

Iranians have speculated for sometime about Khamenei's health. But talk of the 67 year-old Khamenei's health is taboo and officials have denied he is seriously ill, although United States sources had previously said Khamenei had cancer. He is widely regarded as the figurehead of mullahs' regime. The survivor of an assassination attempt, his supporters call him a "living martyr", and Iranians call him "cholaaq ali gedaa".

The country's supreme leader since 1989, Khamenei succeeded the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, infamous mullah Khomeini, as president in 1981 and served two terms. His death or removal from office by the Assembly of Experts will trigger a power struggle within mullahs' regime, according to observers.

The names of three possible successors to Khamenei are currently on the lips of Iranians: Khamenei's son, Mojtaba; Iran's former reformist president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani; and Gholam Ali Mesbah Yazdi, the ultra-conservative ayatollah who is considered the spiritual father of Iran's current hardline president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. All mullahs.

[Teller]

*ding ding*


Lllllleeetttt'sss get ready to rumbllllllllllllllllllllle!!!!!!!!!

From what I understand, this guy has been the counterweight to Ahmedinejad. Hope they find a reasonable (and rational) replacement soon.

[Prosperity]

Rafsanjani would be a [relatively]big step up and he has lots of political power, especially now that Yazdi's group got such a big blow in the recent limited elections.

[twa]

Rafsanjani would be a [relatively]big step up and he has lots of political power, especially now that Yazdi's group got such a big blow in the recent limited elections.

He would certainly be a step up.

Do you think he has a decent shot or will the hardliners prevail?

[spjunkies]

I bet he has a lot of moola.

[Prosperity]

I think he has a very good shot. He is a true politician while Yazdi is more of an ideologue.

[twa]

Looks like we will find out soon...Report he is dead

http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/01/supreme_leader_ayatollah_ali_k.php


A source close to Pajamas Media has learned that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has apparently succumbed to the cancer that hospitalized him last month, as exclusively reported by Pajamas Media, at age 67. He has been Iran’s most powerful figure since replacing Ayatollah Khomeini in the role of Supreme Leader in 1989.

khamenei.jpg

UPDATE: Some sources, evidently including a family member, are reporting that Khamenei, in grave condition, was alive as recently as yesterday. Our source reported that he died today. More to come. It is the middle of the night in Iran.

MORE: Farideh Vafai - spokeswoman for Reza Pahlavi, the former Shah of Iran - made the following comment to PJM Washington Editor Richard Miniter: “We cannot confirm this news. We have heard rumors but so far have no confirmation.” Ms. Vafai was reached at Pahlavi’s Secretariat in Falls Church, VA.

[twa]

I think he has a very good shot. He is a true politician while Yazdi is more of an ideologue.

You think Grand Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri has a shot?

He would also be a improvement.

[Prosperity]

That would be the best possible situation, but no I don't think Montazeri has any chance now.

[twa]

That would be the best possible situation, but no I don't think Montazeri has any chance now.

Probably not, but I can dream of him and Rafsanjani cutting a deal with Rafsanjani getting the presidency in 08 ...might work :whoknows:

[Prosperity]

The President is actually elected (from among the candidates that are approved), but really as a position it hasn't been important until recently as AN has actually brought the position more power. And if any one of them has a chance of getting to be Supreme Leader position then they sure as hell would never pass that up. It is just that important.

The only possible way to really reform Islamic Republic is to get more liberal Supreme Leaders who will allow more liberal candidate to run for office in the Majlis (parliament), Presidency, and Guardian Council (people who can select the new Supreme Leader). So the person who replaces this guy will be able to determine the course of Iran's history. If it is Yazdi there will be more oppression, if it is someone with any sort of inclination to pragmatism or liberalism then there might be a peaceful reform movement. Rafsanjani is no liberal unless you compare him to Khameini or Ahmadinejad, but he is a practical person who understands how the world works.

The reason Rafsanjani lost the election to Ahmadinejad in the first place was because he is seen as a corrupt big business guy (he is rather wealthy) while Ahmadinejad was a populist and also a member of the IRGC. Populist sentiment was strong, (despite the fact that populist policies will no doubt hurt the economy even further). But the even that wasn't enough to keep him popular after all the bull **** he has stirred up and the popular perception that he is a monkey look alike religious fanatic.

[twa]

Didn't Rafsanjani just get appointed the head of the Guardian council?

Or was it the Assembly of Experts?

[Prosperity]

aghh I got it mixed up...

There is an election for the Assembly of Experts (which happened just recently) the Assembly of Experts can choose who the supreme leader will be. I think the Supreme leader appoints the Guardian council which is a whole 'nother thing.
Rafsanjani is a member of the Assembly of Experts. He represents Tehran and actually got the most votes than any other member of the Assembly of Experts.

[Prosperity]

it seems like this story was BS stirred up by Amir Taheri...the same guy that made up the story about Jews having to wear Star of David badges.

[twa]

it seems like this story was BS stirred up by Amir Taheri...the same guy that made up the story about Jews having to wear Star of David badges.

Really? last I read from Taheri he was saying he was still alive, but very sick.

Oh well, we will find out eventually. :munchout: