An official close to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied rumours on social media on Monday that the supreme leader's health was deteriorating.
“By the grace of God and with the good prayers of devotees, the gentleman is in good health and is busy vigorously carrying out his plans according to his routine,” Mehdi Fazaeli said on Twitter.
Mr Fazaeli has worked in an office publishing the work of Mr Khamenei, 81. His tweet was also reported by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.
The statement appeared to be in response to reports by several news organisations, which referred to a tweet by a journalist who said Mr Khamenei had transferred duties to his son because of his health.
Mr Khamenei has served as supreme leader since 1989 and has the final say on all state matters.
His health has been the subject of speculation for years.
“We are aware of these rumours and regard them as rumours only,” said a security official in Israel, which closely follows its enemy Iran.
The Tehran bourse’s index on Monday fell 10,000 points, or about 0.7 per cent.
The state news agency Irna blamed the decline on a “rumour widely exchanged on social media”.
But news websites said the market was reacting to the rumours about Mr Khamenei’s health.
