Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made a notable public appearance on Saturday night for the first time since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict with Israel, which has now lasted twelve days. This momentous event was reported by both state media and his official website, culminating a period of silence that had led to rampant speculation regarding his well-being and potential threats to his life.
In a preceding video message delivered last week, Khamenei showcased a resolute demeanor, following a U.S. airstrike that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. However, his extensive absence from public duties was unprecedented in his thirty-year reign, prompting widespread conjecture about his status.
Emerging from a spell of confinement in a bunker, Khamenei attended a traditional Shiite religious observance for Ashura at his compound on Saturday evening. The audience's reaction depicted both surprise and respect; as he entered wearing his traditional black clerical robe alongside a checkered kaffiyeh, attendees rose to their feet, raising their fists and chanting “Heydar, Heydar,” a customary Shiite war cry.
While Khamenei waved to the crowd and seated himself on stage, he notably did not deliver a speech to the audience, which included prominent figures such as the vice president and speaker of Parliament, who occupied the floor. As the only individual sitting in a chair, Khamenei’s presence seemed both commanding and subdued.
In his earlier video addresses following the hostilities with Israel and the U.S. bombings, Khamenei appeared to struggle with his speech, exhibiting a frail demeanor as he fought to articulate his thoughts in a strained voice.
