Iran’s Supreme Leader Resurfaces Publicly During Ongoing Conflict with Israel

On Saturday, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance since the outbreak of a 12-day war with Israel. He attended a mourning ceremony in Tehran on the eve of Ashoura, a significant religious observance.

Khamenei’s absence during the conflict raised speculation that he might have been sequestered in a secure location, although state media did not confirm this. During the event, he was seen acknowledging the crowd as he entered the mosque adjacent to his office, where the gathering was taking place under strict security.

Reports surrounding the war intensified following U.S. military involvement, which included airstrikes on vital Iranian nuclear installations. President Donald Trump issued warnings to Khamenei via social media, suggesting that the U.S. was aware of his whereabouts but had no immediate intentions of targeting him.

This high-stakes environment complicated diplomatic relations, with Khamenei’s recorded statements asserting that Iran had retaliated against U.S. interests, emphasizing the consequences of further assaults by the United States or Israel. Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran has reported over 900 casualties, alongside extensive damage to its nuclear facilities.

The government has denied access to international nuclear watchdog inspectors, further complicating the situation. In response to the attacks, Iran launched over 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and infrastructural damage.

The ceremony presided over by Khamenei was significant for Shiite Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, whose death many view as central to Shiite identity. In Iran, the mourning rituals were marked by vivid displays of grief, including processions and symbolic acts of mourning.

Meanwhile, NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, reported major disruptions in internet access in Iran, following earlier telecommunications shutdowns during the conflict. Although access was briefly restored, the incident highlighted ongoing challenges within the country.