Iran denies leader is near death, says he met president; Houthis attack Red Sea targets

Iran has refuted claims suggesting that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is critically ill. Official Iranian media, including Press TV, simultaneously reported that Khamenei recently met with President Masoud Pezeshkian. This alleged meeting, occurring around the start of Pezeshkian's third year in office, would directly challenge rumors spread by exiled dissidents about Khamenei being on his deathbed.

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Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has met with President Masoud Pezeshkian on the occasion of the start of the third year of his mandate.

During their supposed discussion, Khamenei and Pezeshkian reportedly covered pressing national issues, including the population's livelihood needs, the ongoing "third war of aggression," future prospects, military developments, and economic cooperation with foreign partners. The anniversary of Pezeshkian's inauguration falls on July 30, suggesting the meeting, if it occurred, took place in recent days.

Adding to the complex regional situation, Iran's allies in Yemen, the Houthi rebels, have intensified their actions in the Red Sea. They launched significant attacks against what they described as "Saudi targets." These strikes followed a "Mecca Pact" agreement between Ankara, Islamabad, and Riyadh, with reports suggesting Cairo might also join.

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The two discussed at length the challenges facing the country, including the population's livelihood needs, the ongoing third war of aggression, future prospects, military developments, and economic cooperation with foreign partners.

The Houthi attacks reportedly targeted Saudi Aramco's oil facility in Jizan, causing a fire, and the port of al-Makha in Yemen. The Yemeni government forces reported at least 11 deaths, including eight soldiers and three civilians, with 35 others injured in the Mocha attack.

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It is certain and inevitable that Saudi Arabia

Amidst these developments, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated the country's stance on the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that ongoing talks with Oman focus on managing the strait, introducing new routes, and are in the final stages. However, he emphasized that an agreement does not guarantee the opening of traffic through Hormuz, as the U.S. must first accept Iran's conditions. Araghchi confirmed there is currently no direct dialogue with Washington.

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The talks with Oman are focused on managing Hormuz, introducing new routes, and we are in the final phase, we could reach an agreement but this does not mean that traffic in the Strait will be opened, because first the US must accept our conditions.