On July 5, 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since the 12-day Iran-Israel war, attending an Ashura ceremony in Tehran, per state media.
Khamenei, 86, attended a mourning ceremony for Ashura, a significant Shiite Muslim observance, at Imam Khomeini Hussainia in Tehran, greeted by chanting crowds. The event, under heavy security, marked his first public outing since June 11, after sheltering in a bunker during the June 13–25 war. Pre-recorded messages, like his June 26 claim of a “slap to America’s face,” were used for safety.
Iran’s Khamenei made his first public appearance at a religious event, after reportedly staying in a secure location during a 12-day air war with Israel that killed top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists https://t.co/Qqchd4kCj0 pic.twitter.com/QBtOlb6Shw
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 6, 2025The 12-day conflict, triggered by Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and commanders on June 13, resulted in the deaths of 900 individuals, including prominent Revolutionary Guard figures, and caused damage to nuclear facilities. Khamenei, rejecting Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” pledged to resist.
During the war, Khamenei’s retreat to a bunker—triggered by assassination threats from Israel and Trump—underscored Iran’s security concerns, according to CBS News. His appearance during Ashura reflects a sense of resilience, although the arrests of suspected Israeli collaborators indicate a crackdown on dissent within the country. Additionally, setbacks in Iran’s nuclear program and a weakened military present significant challenges, with 59% of Iranians perceiving the war as a failure of the regime.
