DUBAI, July 5 (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a religious event on Saturday, according to a video carried by state television, after reports that he was in a “secure location” since the start of a 12-day air war with Israel in which top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists were killed.
The video carried by state media showed dozens attending a ceremony to mark Ashura, the holiest day of the Shi’ite Muslim calendar, standing chanting as Khamenei entered a hall where many government functions are held.
For apparent security reasons, Khamenei had issued pre-taped messages during the war which started on June 13, and avoided public appearances.
On June 26, in pre-recorded remarks aired on state television, Khamenei promised that Iran would not surrender despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls.
(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis)
On July 5, Iran’s highest-ranking religious authority, Ali Khamenei, appeared publicly for the first time in over three weeks, attending a private Muharram mourning ceremony in Tehran. His absence had sparked speculation about his health and security amid regional tensions. pic.twitter.com/musAnkTopq
— Kayhan Life (@KayhanLife) July 5, 2025
