January 4, 2007
Is Iranian "Supreme Leader" Ayatollah Ali al-Khamenei Dead?
UPDATE AND BUMP: No new information, but something just occurred: if we were aware that Ayatollah Khamenei was (or is still) in "grave condition," i.e., either one foot (or perhaps now both feet) in the grave, that may be another reason why we're pumping military force into the Persian Gulf, as we discussed here. In fact, it might be an excellent time to strike Iran -- if we're already prepared -- during the chaos that will inevitably ensue when Khamenei does die... whenever that is.
Pajamas Media is reporting that he might be, though an update casts some doubt on the question.
We have no further information on this, but we'll keep an eye out. It's not yet being reported by any news agency that I've seen.
Hugh Hewitt worries that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "religious guru," Ayatollah Muhamad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi -- far more radical than the (current or recently deceased) Supreme Leader Khamenei -- might be voted by the Assembly of Experts as the next Supreme Leader; but I think this is unlikely, given the results of the recent election: Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, a "reformer" (in Iranian terms) who shares Khamenei's dislike of Mesbah-Yazdi, was the top vote getter; he would be more likely to be voted Supreme Leader when Khamenei dies (if he isn't dead already) than would Mesbah-Yazdi.
As Drudge likes to say, "developing..."
Hatched by Dafydd on this day, January 4, 2007, at the time of 5:00 PM
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Comments
The following hissed in response by: Mr. Michael
Between the Iranian instability, the near change of command of Iraqi leadership, Ohlmert's popularity, Lebanon and Gaza's leaders up in the air, Saudi recalling a diplomat poste haste and the new Head of the United Nations...
I think Bush should put off any major announcements about 'the way forward' until we are confident that there will be no natural successions occurring around that region. Just our luck we announce a plan to succeed in troubletown as the local populace decides to do something about it themselves.
Then we'd be stuck trying to learn the new lines of power with one hand tied behind our backs.
(Have I ever mentioned how happy I am that mixed/botched metaphores cause no pain to the writer?)
In any case... I don't expect Bush's delayed Middle East Plan speech before SOME of this stuff sifts out.
The above hissed in response by: Mr. Michael ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://biglizards.net/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 4, 2007 10:34 PM
The following hissed in response by: Bill Faith
Excerpted and linked at Saddam gets a roommate
The above hissed in response by: Bill Faith at January 5, 2007 2:45 AM
The following hissed in response by: hunter
Think of the Bismark-Hitler relationship. Hitler used Bismark's death to shove Germany farther under the nazi spell. I see the little dictator very much as hitler v2.0. Bismark was not the wicked man this elderly ayatollah is/was, but then Iran is a theocratic oligarchy, and pre-hitler Germany was a weak socialist democracy.
But the comparison holds up pretty well, and I bet the little fella will use the passing of the ayatollah as an opportunity to impose some of that order on those unworthy Iranians. And to get closer to that glorious flash of light over Jerusalem.
The above hissed in response by: hunter at January 5, 2007 4:05 AM
The following hissed in response by: McnMan
Hunter, I assume you mean von Hindenburg, not Bismark. Bismark died in 1898, IIRC.
The above hissed in response by: McnMan at January 5, 2007 4:38 AM
The following hissed in response by: hunter
>shame
Yes, McnMan, You are correct. At least I was close enough to get the idea across.
The above hissed in response by: hunter at January 5, 2007 10:41 PM
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