Iran’s Khamenei Makes First Public Appearance Since Israel Conflict: State Media
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public on Saturday for the first time since the recent 12-day war with Israel, according to Iranian state media.
Khamenei, 86, attended a religious ceremony in central Tehran to mark the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, a revered figure in Shia Islam.
State television aired footage of the event showing the long-serving leader, dressed in black, on stage at the Imam Khomeini Mosque as worshippers chanted slogans in support of him.
“The blood in our veins for our leader!” the crowd shouted, raising their fists in unison.
This marks Khamenei’s first public appearance since June 11, two days before Israel launched a surprise wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities.
In the days following the strikes, Khamenei only appeared in a pre-recorded video message released last week.
The Israeli offensive, part of a long-running covert conflict between the two nations, was intended to curb Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions—a charge Tehran continues to deny.
Iran’s judiciary says over 900 people were killed in the Israeli air raids. In retaliation, Iranian missile strikes on Israeli cities killed at least 28 people, according to official Israeli figures.
Khamenei has led the Islamic Republic since 1989 and remains the country’s most powerful figure.
