Iranian president has fallen ill from workload

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fallen ill due to exhaustion brought on by his heavy workload, the state-run news agency reported quoting a close associate.

The announcement comes as doubts have surfaced over whether Ahmadinejad, who faces strong criticism from opponents, will seek re-election next year.

Ahmadinejad, who rarely misses meetings and public appearances, canceled a speech Wednesday at a conference and did not appear at a Cabinet meeting the same day.
But the president, who turns 53 today, did attend a religious ceremony on Saturday in Tehran, though he looked tired as he greeted supporters.

Ahmadinejad, who is known for working long hours, has had low blood pressure and has gone to the hospital occasionally to seek treatment, said Mohammad Hossein Saffar Harandi, the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

“Even if you are immortal, you will suffer from working so much. ... That is what has happened several times to Mr. President over the last years. However, he is up and about and fresher than us right now,” he told reporters Sunday.