TEHRAN – Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi is in a dire medical condition, Khatamolanbia Hospital announced on Monday, dismissing rumors of Shahroudi’s demise.

The health condition of Ayatollah Shahroudi has turned worse since Sunday, and he is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a digestive system problem, hospital’s chief Hadi Kazemi said, Mehr reported.

Ayatollah Sharoudi had not attended the Expediency Council's sessions since mid-summer due to health problems. The senior cleric was appointed as head of the council in 2017, replacing the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

MH/PA