Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei makes first public appearance since Iran-Israel war started
Share this @internewscast.com

On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared publicly for the first time since the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran commenced. He attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura.

His absence during the war led to speculation that Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over state affairs, may have been in hiding in a bunker—a scenario not confirmed by state media.

Footage from state television in Iran showed him greeting and acknowledging the cheering crowd, which stood up as he entered and took a seat in a mosque located near his office and residence in Tehran.

There was no immediate report on any public statement made. Iranian officials such as the parliament speaker were present. Such events are always held under heavy security.

After the US inserted itself into the war by bombing three key nuclear sites in Iran, US President Donald Trump sent warnings via social media to the 86-year-old Khamenei that the US knew where he was but had no plans to kill him, “at least for now.”

On June 26, shortly after a ceasefire began, Khamenei made his first public statement in days, saying in a prerecorded statement that Tehran had delivered a “slap to America’s face” by striking a US air base in Qatar, and warning against further attacks by the US or Israel on Iran.

Trump replied, in remarks to reporters and on social media: “Look, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell.”

Iran has acknowledged the deaths of more than 900 people in the war, as well as thousands of injured.

It also has confirmed serious damage to its nuclear facilities, and has denied access to them for inspectors with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran’s president on Wednesday ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with the watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, further limiting inspectors’ ability to track a program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. Israel launched the war fearing that Iran was trying to develop atomic weapons.

It remains unclear just how badly damaged the nuclear facilities are, whether any enriched uranium or centrifuges had been moved before the attacks, and whether Tehran still would be willing to continue negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program.

Israel also targeted defense systems, high-ranking military officials and atomic scientists.

In retaliation, Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of them intercepted, killing 28 people and causing damage in many areas.

Ceremony commemorates a death that caused rift in Islam

The ceremony that Khamenei hosted Saturday was a remembrance of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein.

Shiites represent over 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims, and they view Hussein as the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Hussein’s death in battle at the hands of Sunnis at Karbala, south of Baghdad, created a rift in Islam and continues to play a key role in shaping Shiite identity.

In predominantly Shiite Iran, red flags represented Hussein’s blood and black funeral tents and clothes represented mourning. Processions of chest-beating and self-flagellating men demonstrated fervor. Some sprayed water over the mourners in the intense heat.

Reports of problems accessing the internet

NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, reported late Saturday on X that there was a “major disruption to internet connectivity” in Iran. It said the disruption corroborated widespread user reports of problems accessing the internet. The development comes just weeks after authorities shut down telecoms during the war. NetBlocks later said internet access had been restored after some two hours.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
IDF personnel surveying damage at a missile attack site.

Inside Israel’s Frontline Rescue Team: From Extracting Families from Debris to Evading Iranian Missiles

IT’S the dead of night when Captain Yehudit’s phone suddenly starts ringing.…
Muddy interior of a flood-damaged cabin with overturned furniture.

Texas Flood Tragedy: 50 Dead Including 15 Children, 27 Girls Missing from Camp Mystic

AT least 50 people including children have been killed in the Texas…
Scott Bessent scoffs at Musk's new America Party

Scott Bessent Criticizes Musk’s Newly Launched America Party

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took a jab at tech magnate Elon Musk…
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at an Ashura ceremony.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah, 86, Makes Public Appearance After Trump Advises Israel Against Targeting Him

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made his first public appearance…
Brunswick shooting leaves woman injured, man arrested

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Seeks Suspect in Shooting Incident That Injured One Person

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says this happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday…
Heather Graham flaunts body in several bikinis during Italy vacation

Heather Graham Shows Off Stunning Bikinis on Italian Getaway

There is no one else who is soaking up the sun more…
Couple in swimwear posing on a boat.

Gulf Coast Stapletons Influencer Stands by Husband After He Pleads Guilty to 20 Charges Related to Child Abuse Images

AN INFLUENCER has defended her husband online after he was sentenced to…
Mystery deepens as body discovered during search for missing American in island paradise

Discovery of a Body Intensifies Search for Missing American on Island Paradise

Authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands have found a man’s body…
Photo of Yessica Arrua, accused of stealing from Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

Employee mistakenly paid $400,000, believed to be a bonus on her $60k salary, spends it on lavish shopping spree

A HORSE clinic receptionist is accused of grand theft after being accidentally…
Are You a HENRY?

Do You Identify as a High-Earning Not Rich Yet (HENRY)?

(NerdWallet) – No, we’re not asking your name. And we promise we’re…
Biden's Slurring Juneteenth Remarks Can't Make the Dems Happy

Essex Files: Joe Biden Highlights Global Disconnect Dating Back to 1945

President Joe Biden wants to convey something crucial: European leaders are reaching…
Sharon Osbourne disinvites greedy band from Ozzy's Black Sabbath farewell concert

Sharon Osbourne Disinvites Band from Ozzy’s Black Sabbath Farewell Concert Due to Greed

Sharon Osbourne said she disinvited a greedy band from her husband Ozzy…