Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamanei suffers from terminal illness, report suggests

Tensions between Iran and Israel are escalating. Following Iran’s missile attack on Israel on October 1, Israel retaliated with strikes on Iranian military facilities in Tehran on Saturday. A report from the New York Times indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is “seriously ill,” further complicating the already fraught situation and raising questions over the condition of the 85-year-old leader.

The internal landscape in Iran remains uncertain after the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in May, leading to speculation about the succession of Khamenei. There are concerns regarding the potential rise of Khamenei’s second son, Mojtaba, 55, who may assume leadership.

However, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is likely to play a critical role in any succession, and they are seen as more inclined to confront Israel.

Israel had vowed to respond to the October 1 missile attack, in which Iran launched approximately 200 missiles—its second direct assault on Israel.

Earlier in April, Iran conducted its first direct strike against Israeli territory, launching over 300 drones and missiles in retaliation for an Israeli attack that killed IRGC commanders in Damascus.

In Saturday’s attack, at least two Iranian soldiers were killed as the Israeli army targeted military installations in Iran. The White House stated that Israel’s actions should put an end to direct exchanges of fire between the two nations, cautioning Tehran about potential “consequences” if it retaliates.

Iranian military officials have previously warned that any Israeli attack would provoke a “harsher response.”