Iran releases first video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei amid speculations about his deteriorating health condition

Days after Israeli media claimed that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Tehran's semi-official Mehr news agency released an undated video of the leader, who appears to be in good health. The footage was published in an apparent effort to counter mounting speculation over his health and whereabouts.

Israeli media claims Khamenei in 'critical condition'

The latest reports emerged on Friday, when Israeli media claimed that Khamenei was in an "extremely critical condition." Citing sources inside Iran, Channel 14 and The Jerusalem Post, which quoted IranWire and sources close to President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration, reported that concerns over his health were circulating within Tehran's leadership.

A source told The Jerusalem Post, "We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon."

Speculations mount over Khamenei's health

The video comes amid growing concerns over Khamenei's health and whereabouts. Since being appointed Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic following his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's, death on the first day of US and Israeli strikes in Iran in late February, he has not made any public appearances and has communicated exclusively through written statements. He was also absent from his father's funeral, which took place last month.

Reports have suggested that he was injured and potentially disfigured in the initial round of strikes that targeted Ayatollah Khamenei's compound, forcing him into hiding and prompting him to communicate with senior regime figures through a slow network of intermediaries to avoid being targeted.

The speculation intensified after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged in a state TV interview that direct communication with the Supreme Leader is currently "very difficult." According to AFP, Pezeshkian said, "It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us so that we can continue."

Claims emerge over Khamenei's health, location

Since the US and Israel launched joint operations in Iran in February, both international and regional media have repeatedly questioned Khamenei's physical location and his capacity to lead. Last month, Saudi news outlet al-Hadath cited an Israeli security source who claimed that the Supreme Leader was "not in Iran."

Around the same time, US President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, asserted that Tehran's top military leadership had been eliminated, adding that the Supreme Leader was "90% gone" and incapacitated following the military campaign. He said, "They have no navy, they have no air force, it's all gone. Their anti-aircraft is gone, their leaders have all been killed, their best leaders have been killed," and added, "Khamenei is gone, the son is 90% gone."

Iran rejects reports over Khamenei's health

Iranian officials have repeatedly downplayed the severity of Khamenei's injuries and dismissed reports about his health as rumours. However, his continued absence from live appearances and public addresses has fuelled uncertainty over his health and the country's leadership.

While Western and opposition intelligence sources have repeatedly claimed that he suffered serious or disfiguring injuries, which they say explain his absence from live public appearances and exclusive reliance on written statements, Iranian state officials have presented a different account.

Iran's Health Ministry representatives previously described his initial injuries as minor, while senior officials have continued to assert that he remains involved in strategic decision-making and issues operational directives for the country.