Tehran (TDI): The Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance in a religious ceremony since the 12 days of conflict between Iran and Israel that resulted in the killing of Iran’s military top officials and nuclear scientists.
Khamenei appeared in a video aired by the state media, on Saturday, that showcased many people attending an event at a mosque to mark Ashura – one of the holiest days in Muslim calendar.
In the video, the Iranian supreme leader is seen waving and nodding to the cheering crowd which rose to its feet as he entered the mosque. State media reported that the video is recorded in the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Central Tehran.
Why it matters
The absence of Khamenei during the war has been on account of the security of the Supreme Leader, who has a final say on all state matters.
After US attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, Israel and the US President also sent death threats via social media to the Iranian leader saying we knew where he was but we had no plans of killing him “at least for now.”
On June 26, shortly after the ceasefire began, Khamenei made his public statement in a pre-recorded video that Tehran has given a “slap to America’s face” by striking US air-base in Qatar and warned against further attacks by US or Israel, rejecting Trump’s calls for Iran’s surrender.
Impact of the Conflict
Iran has acknowledged the deaths of more than 900 people during the war and thousands got injured.
It also confirmed serious damage to its nuclear sites and denied access to the inspectors from the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The IAEA’s inspectors stayed in Iran even during the conflict but left Tehran when Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law and suspended cooperation with IAEA.
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
