Iran's state news agency Mehr published a video showing Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the first footage of him since he took office in March following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The video, released without a date, shows Khamenei delivering religious instruction to a group of people.
The agency did not specify when the recording was made, leaving unclear when the footage was captured. The appearance marks Khamenei's first video recording since assuming the top position, according to reports. Since his appointment, Khamenei has made no public appearances or speeches, instead communicating through social media posts on X and statements read by Iranian state media.
The timing of the video's release and the absence of a date stamp are likely to fuel speculation about Khamenei's health and whereabouts. Sources who spoke to CNN around the time of his appointment said Khamenei had suffered a broken foot and minor facial cuts from US-Israeli airstrikes in February. In the newly released video, no visible injuries are apparent on Khamenei.
Mehr is a semi-official news agency considered close to Iran's supreme leader. The video has not been widely circulated by other Iranian media outlets.
