This is CBS Eye on the World. Here's John Batchelor.

Malcolm Honan, Conference of President's major American Jewish organizations.

Iran. Rumors of the Ayatollah's health again. Malcolm, a very good evening to you. The Ayatollah's senior, good for him. I know other senior people who I enjoy wonderful health, but for some years now, there have been mixed reports of the Ayatollah's health. What do we know now? Good evening to you. Good evening, John.

And we know a lot, actually, even despite the dark covers that are put over all the processes.

So let me try and break it down a little bit. For one, there were reports that he was dead or dying.

That is not true. He was seen yesterday by a diplomat. He was seen. But for one, there were reports that he was dead or dying.

That is not true.

He was seen yesterday by a diplomat.

It is true that he's not well.

But if you don't see movement of troops into the streets to key locations, and there are hundreds

of strategic points, you'll know that the reports are not accurate.

And you did not see troops being deployed.

There were reports, though, that there was a secret meeting, an extraordinary and secret of meeting of the Iran Assembly of Experts, which is composed of 60 people,

convened at the Supreme Leader's request. They were unexpectedly instructed to determine the

next leader without prior warning or preparation, and there was some initial resistance to the decision

and the process that was engaged in. But unanimous approval was ultimately secured after a lot

of pressure, reportedly accompanied by veiled threats from the Supreme Leader's representatives,

and the person chosen was Mocdaba Khameen,

the son of the current leader, who is, as you know, 85 years old,

and the transition could occur even before he passes away.

We don't know yet exactly when it will be. But clearly this has

captured the imagination of the people. The report has not been confirmed, but the likelihood that it is

...