SAEDNEWS: A newly resurfaced anecdote from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s presidential visit to China reveals his refusal to undergo acupuncture therapy, citing solidarity with disabled compatriots.
According to Saed News, a recently recounted story by Amir Ali-Asghar Motlagh sheds light on a moment from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s tenure as Iran’s president, highlighting his characteristically stoic approach to personal hardship. During an official trip to China, Khamenei was offered acupuncture treatment by Chinese doctors who claimed they could restore movement to his right hand within a week.
Motlagh recalls that Khamenei, still bearing injuries from a 1981 bombing at Tehran’s Abu Dhar Mosque, politely declined the offer. His injuries included a paralyzed right hand and a need for humid air to ease his chest condition. Yet, faced with the prospect of swift recovery through traditional Chinese medicine, Khamenei demurred. “There are many disabled people like me in Iran,” he reportedly said. “If all of them come, I will too.”
The remark, now circulating widely on Persian social media, is viewed by supporters as an emblem of humility and collective identity. Khamenei’s injury has long been a public symbol in Iran, representing both personal sacrifice and resilience.
While the story dates back over three decades, its resurfacing comes amid renewed interest in the Supreme Leader’s health and public image. Political analysts observe that such narratives serve to bolster his standing among loyalists, reinforcing an image of a leader who refuses privilege or exception, even in matters of personal health.
