Khamenei appears in new photo as Iran dismisses coma reports

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appeared in a new photo released Sunday, meeting with Iran's Lebanese ambassador, in an apparent bid to quash rumors about his health after reports claimed he had fallen into a coma.

The image, shared on Khamenei's official social media, shows the 85-year-old leader speaking with Ambassador Mojtaba Amani in what his office says was "a noon meeting today." This comes after widespread speculation about his condition and reports that he had designated his son Mojtaba as successor.

Just weeks ago, Khamenei made headlines with his first public sermon in five years, following Iran's missile strikes on Israel. During that appearance, he praised the attacks as "public service" while predicting Israel's demise.

The New York Times reported in October that Khamenei was "seriously ill," adding to questions about leadership succession in Tehran.

Ambassador Amani, who appears in the new photo, recently survived an explosion in Lebanon that killed 39 people and injured thousands. The blast reportedly involved devices linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah.