Khamenei makes first public appearance since Iran- Israel war

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public appearance since the recent conflict with Israel. In a video broadcast on state television, Khamenei was seen extending greetings on the occasion of the holy day of Ashura, according to a report by the BBC.

On Saturday (July 5), local time, Khamenei attended a religious ceremony marking the eve of Ashura at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran. In the footage, he is seen greeting attendees and singing a patriotic song titled "O Iran" alongside another cleric, Mahmoud Karimi.

Previously, Khamenei had last been seen in a pre-recorded video on June 13, during Iran’s announcement of the death of its top military and nuclear scientists in an Israeli strike. That attack sparked a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, with the United States also becoming directly involved.

During the war, Khamenei only addressed the public through video messages, which led to widespread speculation that he was hiding in a bunker. His in-person appearance ahead of Ashura thus became a major news item across Iranian media.