Monday, 25 May 2026
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken part in a ceremony as part of the festival of Ashura. Photo: EPA PHOTO
Iran’s Khamenei reappears publicly after Israel conflict
TEHRAN (News Wires) - Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance on Saturday since the start of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, according to state media reports.
The 85-year-old leader attended an Ashura ceremony at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh, where worshippers greeted him with chants of allegiance. State television broadcast images of Khamenei entering the hall as the crowd proclaimed, “The blood in our veins is a gift to our Leader.”
This appearance was Khamenei’s first in-person event since Israel began its wave of surprise airstrikes that ignited the brief but fierce clash.
Although he released pre-recorded messages during the fighting, Khamenei had not been seen publicly for several weeks, notably missing the Muharram mourning ceremonies he traditionally hosts at his residence.
For the first time, he was absent for three consecutive nights of the annual religious gatherings.
Despite his absence, Khamenei remained outspoken during the conflict.
In televised remarks, he accused the United States of direct involvement in attacks against Iran to support Israel. After the ceasefire, he asserted that Washington had intervened militarily to “save Tel Aviv,” claiming Israel had been weakened by Iran’s retaliatory strikes.