Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared in public on Saturday for the first time since the escalation of hostilities with Israel and United States in mid-June.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a video shared on X, Khamenei was seen waving to crowds during a religious ceremony marking the eve of Ashura, a major Shia commemoration of the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.
Khamenei had remained out of sight since June 13, when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
The U.S. soon joined the offensive, striking three major nuclear facilities before President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire.
During the hostilities, top Israeli and U.S. officials publicly discussed removing Khamenei from power.
Following the ceasefire, Khamenei released a recorded statement from an undisclosed location, declaring that Iran had defeated both Israel and the U.S.
He rejected Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, saying that the real issue was not Iran’s nuclear program, but American hostility toward Iran’s Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.
Khamenei’s return to the public eye came just a day after Trump reiterated the U.S. would not allow Iran to restart its nuclear program.
Trump warned that any such move would provoke a response. He also stated he would consult with Netanyahu, who is expected in Washington on Monday.
