Iran’s state-controlled Mehr News Agency has released a short video showing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei for the first time in months, amid persistent speculation over his health following the February 28 US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The undated 12-second clip shows Mojtaba Khamenei seated on a carpet in a room, dressed in a black turban and grey robe while interacting with several people around him. Iranian authorities have not disclosed when or where the footage was recorded, but the release appears aimed at countering widespread reports questioning his physical condition.
Since assuming the position of Iran’s third Supreme Leader on March 8, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly and has communicated only through written statements issued by state media. He was also absent from his father’s funeral ceremonies, further fuelling speculation about his health. Earlier this year, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB released another undated video showing him teaching religious studies, but it likewise provided no details about the recording. Reports have claimed that Mojtaba suffered serious facial and leg injuries during the February attack, although Iranian officials have never officially confirmed those claims.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently acknowledged that communication with Mojtaba Khamenei remains difficult but described him as an important source of strength for the country. He said he had held productive meetings with the Supreme Leader and praised his kindness and logical approach, while accusing critics of presenting a misleading image of him. Meanwhile, conflicting claims about Mojtaba’s health continue to circulate internationally, with US President Donald Trump recently alleging that he was “90 per cent gone” and Israeli media reporting that he remains in poor condition. The newly released video is expected to intensify debate over his actual health, as Iranian authorities continue to provide only limited public information.
