Rumors of Death Not So Greatly Exaggerated?

According to Michael Ledeen, who has been one of the most outspoken anti-Iran writers out there:

And, according to Iranians I trust, Osama bin Laden finally departed this world in mid-December. The al Qaeda leader died of kidney failure and was buried in Iran, where he had spent most of his time since the destruction of al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The Iranians who reported this note that this year's message in conjunction with the Muslim Haj came from his number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, for the first time.

We have no proof thus far that Osama has rejoined Atta and the 18 other 9/11 hijackers in Hell, but he surely can't be that far away considering the oft-reported kidney problems.

What's interesting is that these reports are coming from Iran. Coincidence? I think not. Atlas Shrugs and Regime Change Iran have more.

Let me repeat - this is unconfirmed reporting based on limited sources. However, it could do much to explain the audio/visual silence from Osama in the past few months, not to mention the heightened visual presentations by Zawahiri.

UPDATE:
Peter Brookes also brings word of Osama's possible demise, but follows it up with the following:

In Afghanistan, the U.S. commander, Gen. Karl Eikenberry, insists that Osama is still considered alive — and the hunt continues. His boss, Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld, recently said that he doubts Osama is still capable of running al Qaeda's global terror operations.

Even Islamists, in some of their numerous Web sites, have begun to speculate on Osama's demise.

Of course, until we have proof positive of a demise, we have to assume Osama is "at large and in charge." Any assumption short of that would be foolhardy — and potentially deadly.

It's very possible that Osama, a fugitive on the run and under continuing pressure by U.S. forces, has gone incommunicado along the rugged Afghan-Pakistan border. He may have also fled into safe haven in neighboring Iran — or even left the region completely.

By lowering his profile, Osama may also be trying to lull us into complacency four-plus years after 9/11, while he plans the next big attack. "Out of sight, out of mind" could lead to America dropping its guard; complacency is as big a threat to our security as Osama and al Qaeda.

Wizbang also has more.

UPDATE:
Rusty at the Jawa Report correctly notes that this is not the first time that Osama's death has been circulated - all without proof of death. Definitely a good idea to be circumspect.