WATCH: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Makes First Public Appearance Since War With Israel

Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a dramatic return to public life on Saturday, 5 July, appearing before worshippers in Tehran for the first time since the country’s conflict with Israel erupted last month.

His reappearance comes amid rising regional tensions and coincides with Ashura, one of the most emotionally charged dates in the Shia calendar.

Ce soir (samedi 05 juillet 2025), la cérémonie de deuil de la nuit d'Achoura en l'honneur de l'Imam Hussein (ps) s'est tenue en présence de Son Eminence l'Ayatollah Khamenei, Guide suprême de la Révolution Islamique, à la Husseinyah Imam Khomeiny (RA) à Téhéran. pic.twitter.com/e4wcX2jZBH

— Ayatollah Khamenei (@fr_Khamenei) July 5, 2025

The 86-year-old leader was last seen in public in early June, before Israel launched a sudden wave of air strikes on 13 June. Since then, Khamenei had remained out of sight, with only a pre-recorded video surfacing last week in which he claimed Iran had delivered a “slap to America’s face” by striking a US base in Qatar.

A Return Shrouded in Symbolism

State television footage on Saturday showed Khamenei, dressed in black, onstage at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in central Tehran. The audience, packed with worshippers, chanted fervently, “The blood in our veins for our leader!” as he greeted the crowd.

His appearance coincides with the eve of Ashura, a sacred day in Shia Islam that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The moment carries powerful symbolism in Iran, where religious and political leadership are closely intertwined.

Ayatollah Khamenei is still alive and appeared in public for the first time today after more than 20 days of absence

Media reports that the 86-year-old Iranian leader has been hiding in a bunker all this time, fearing an assassination attempt. #IranVsIsrael #Iran #Israel pic.twitter.com/oLTsbmW2LY

— WBC Defenders (@WBCdefenders) July 5, 2025

By choosing Ashura for his return to the public eye, Khamenei has signalled defiance, resilience, and a deep connection to the Shia identity that underpins Iran’s political structure.

Silence Broken After 12 Days of Conflict

Khamenei had not been seen live since a meeting with Iranian parliamentarians two days before the Israeli strikes began. His absence during a time of conflict had raised speculation, especially as Iranian state messaging ramped up rhetoric against both Israel and the United States.

In his recent pre-recorded message, he issued warnings against further foreign intervention and framed Iran’s military response as a defence of sovereignty. However, his physical presence, especially during such a solemn occasion, carries greater weight for supporters.

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