The Islamic Republic’s supreme leader has not been seen in public for months, fueling speculation about his condition
Iran will release footage of its new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, appearing in public, a senior paramilitary commander said on Sunday, in an apparent effort to dispel rumors about his health.
Khamenei has not been seen in public since March, when he was chosen to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during the first wave of US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. His prolonged absence has fueled speculation that he was disfigured or incapacitated, or that he too had been killed.
Iranian authorities, however, have insisted that Khamenei is actively participating in political and military decision-making.
In comments carried by the Mehr News Agency, Qasem Qoraishi, deputy head of the Basij paramilitary organization, said that images of Khamenei would be released in the future.
“The images and documentary evidence that will be released in the future showing the esteemed leader and commander-in-chief, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, among the people, in the streets and neighborhoods, and in meetings with commanders of the Armed Forces, will once again disgrace the enemies and ill-wishers of the Iranian nation,” he said.
Qoraishi urged the public to remain vigilant, warning that “the enemy seeks to sow discord among revolutionary forces and the religious faithful.”
On Sunday, Iranian media released a rare, undated 12-second video showing Khamenei sitting in a circle with officials. However, some media outlets outside Iran suggested that it had been recorded before the war.
The US and Israel carried out targeted strikes against multiple Iranian political and military leaders during the war, including powerful security chief Ali Larijani, who was killed on March 17. Tehran may be limiting Khamenei’s public appearances for security reasons. US President Donald Trump has labeled Iran’s leaders “scumbags” and suggested that he may target more officials if Tehran does not accept his terms.
