Iran’s Khamenei Makes First Public Appearance Since War with Israel
State television broadcast footage showing the 85-year-old cleric greeting worshippers at a mosque, where he was met with cheers from the crowd.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance on Saturday since the outbreak of his country’s recent 12-day war with Israel, according to a report by AFP citing Iranian state media.
State television broadcast footage showing the 85-year-old cleric greeting worshippers at a mosque, where he was met with cheers from the crowd. While Khamenei delivered remarks last week via a pre-recorded message, Saturday marked his first public presence since the war erupted with a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory.
His appearance comes amid a tense regional atmosphere following the unprecedented direct conflict between Israel and Iran—one of the most significant escalations in decades. The brief but intense confrontation, which followed months of rising hostilities and tit-for-tat strikes, left deep regional reverberations, with fears of broader conflict still lingering.
Iranian officials have sought to project strength and stability in the aftermath, emphasizing their military readiness and regional alliances. Khamenei’s reappearance is likely intended to reinforce public confidence in the country’s leadership and signal resilience in the face of external pressure.
The supreme leader remains Iran’s highest authority and a central figure in shaping its domestic and foreign policy, particularly on matters related to Israel, the United States, and the Islamic Republic’s regional network of allied groups. His visibility—or absence—often carries symbolic weight during times of national crisis.
