Iran: Khamenei Death Rumor Untrue

Iran's U.N. ambassador denied on Friday reports circulating on the Internet that Tehran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had died.


"We checked last night and there is no truth to it," Javad Zarif, Iran's chief envoy to the United Nations, told Reuters about the reports, which first appeared on Web sites on Thursday.

The Internet rumors were circulating among traders in energy and other financial markets, but had not moved prices.

In Tehran, relatives of Khamenei dismissed the rumors, which they said had been circulating for several days, and said he was in good health.

One Iranian source said Khamenei was expected to lead prayers during a religious holiday on Monday.
Khamenei has been Iran's highest authority since 1989.

AP