Iran releases rare video of Supreme Leader amid health reports

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran has released rare footage of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei following reports that his health had sharply deteriorated, showing him meeting with several people and apparently addressing them.

The video, broadcast by the semi-official Mehr News Agency, did not disclose when or where it was recorded or identify those accompanying Khamenei.

Mehr separately reported that the Supreme Leader met President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday to discuss Iran’s domestic and economic challenges, including public livelihoods, the country’s military confrontation with the United States and economic engagement with foreign partners.

Khamenei was selected as Iran’s Supreme Leader in March following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28.

He had not appeared publicly since assuming the position, making the newly released footage his first reported public appearance.

The release comes amid heightened uncertainty surrounding Iran’s leadership and its relations with Washington.

Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire in April and signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending their military confrontation and establishing a lasting peace arrangement.

The understanding later collapsed, however, with Iran and the United States engaging in nearly two weeks of renewed attacks before President Donald Trump halted the US bombardment amid reports of renewed diplomatic contacts aimed at resolving the conflict.