US Reports: Iran's Khamenei Transfers Powers to Son

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei transferred the powers to his son over reports about his deteriorating health, according to Newsweek magazine on Saturday.

“Iranian journalist Mohamad Ahwaze reported the major political move on Twitter, citing sources in the country. Writing in Arabic, Ahwaze said Khamenei had handed power over to his son, Mojtaba Khamenei,” the report said.

The journalist wrote on Twitter that "President Hassan Rouhani was scheduled to meet on Friday with the Leader Khamenei, this meeting between [Khamenei] and President Rouhani was canceled due to the deterioration of Khamenei's health condition.”

He added that Khamenei’s ill health reason was not known but suggested “It could be due to prostate cancer.” Khamenei reportedly deteriorated over night.

The US magazine’s report pointed out that “The political and religious leader is stepping down amid increased tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv following the killing of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh on November 27.”