SAEDNEWS: In a rare televised interview, the Supreme Leader’s longtime physician revealed intimate details about Ayatollah Khamenei’s health, self-discipline, and aversion to luxury—even in the form of expensive fruit.
According to Saed News, Dr. Seyed Alireza Marandi, head of the medical team overseeing the health of Iran’s Supreme Leader, has offered a rare public account of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s physical condition and lifestyle. Speaking on the state-run Nasim Network's “Bermuda” programme, Marandi reflected on nearly three decades of medical service to the leader, praising his vitality and work ethic despite advanced age.
“Though he's older than me by nine months, he remains remarkably healthy and active,” said Marandi. “He spends a great deal of time reading, writing, and reviewing national and international affairs. His endurance is nothing short of exceptional.” He credited divine grace for Khamenei’s sustained wellbeing, emphasizing the leader’s daily engagement in state matters.
Marandi also shared a telling anecdote about the Supreme Leader’s personal ethics. When advised to eat more fruit for health reasons, Khamenei inquired about market prices. Upon hearing the costs, he rejected pricier options and requested only the cheapest varieties—out of a desire, Marandi said, to consume what ordinary citizens typically afford.
Asked whether the leader complies with medical advice, Marandi noted, “He always wants to know the reasoning behind each recommendation. If he finds it convincing, he follows through diligently.”
The interview offers a carefully curated portrait of a leader portrayed as ascetic, conscientious, and intellectually engaged. While clearly intended to reinforce public perceptions of integrity and modesty, it also humanizes a figure often seen only through the lens of political authority.
