For the First Time Since the Start of the Israel War, Khamenei Appears in Public

For the First Time Since the Start of the Israel War, Khamenei Appears in Public

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has been absent from public life for a long time, which has led to rumors about his health and threats against him.
According to Iran’s official website and state media, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, made his first public appearance since the start of the 12-day conflict with Israel last month on Saturday night.

Last week, in his second public comment following the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, Mr. Khamenei released a forceful video message. However, during his three decades in power, his prolonged seclusion from public life was unprecedented and had stoked rumors about his health and potential threats to his life.

Mr. Khamenei attended an annual Ashura Shiite religious event at his compound on Saturday night, following weeks of hiding in a bunker. The guests seemed taken aback. Hundreds of men and women stood up, pounding their fists in the air and shouting the Shiite battle cry, “Heydar, Heydar,” as Mr. Khamenei entered the room in his checkered kaffiyeh and black clerical robe.