Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets mourners in Tehran during Ashoura, marking his first public appearance since the Israel-Iran conflict. (Photo credit: Reuters)
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has came out officially from seclusion after the recent 12-day war with Israel. This put an end to weeks of rumours surrounding his health and well-being. The 86-year-old Iran leader was seen for the first time ever since the fight with Israel. He visited on Saturday, a highly secured Ashoura commemoration center in Tehran.
Ashoura ceremony indicates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and also a major person in Shia Islam faction. The popular ceremony was attended by a number of Iran’s top leaders, that includes Parliament Speaker. State media broadcasted the footage of Iran Supreme Leader when he entered the compound and being greeted with shouts of support from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Khamenei’s absence at the time of Israel-Iran conflict had sparked several serious speculation all over. Many reports later suggested that he had been moved to underground location because of serious threats to his life. While the Israel-Iran conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump issued serious warnings to Khamenei. Trump also stressed that the United States already know his location however had no immediate plans to target him.
In reality, the recent Israel-Iran conflict was a destructive blow to Iran’s nuclear program. Later, Tehran admitted that more than 900 killed and thousands wounded in the war. American officials claimed that the Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “wiped out,” prompting Iran to put on hold its co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), limiting outside observation of its nuclear programme.
Following the ceasefire, Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei issued a pre-recorded statement stressing that Iran had given a “slap to America’s face” by attacking a US military base in Qatar. Donald Trump fired back with a biting critique, referring to Khamenei as a “man of great faith” however had accused him of lying to the public regarding the outcome of the war.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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