Iran Releases Video of Mojtaba Khamenei Amid Persistent Health Rumors

Iran's state-controlled Mehr News Agency has published an undated 12-second video of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, marking a rare visual appearance amid months of heavy speculation surrounding his physical condition following the US-Israeli strikes that killed his father.

Published on the agency's website on Saturday, the short clip is captioned: "A video of the leader of the revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, published for the first time."

In the footage, Khamenei appears healthy and normal, sitting on a carpet in an enclosed room while conversing with individuals around him. He is seen wearing a traditional black turban, white inner attire, and a light gray outer garment. However, the state media outlet did not disclose when or where the video was recorded.

Speculation regarding his health intensified after reports claimed Khamenei suffered severe facial and leg injuries during the February 28 US-Israeli airstrikes—the same coordinated attacks that killed his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

This follows a similar undated video released by state broadcaster IRIB on March 20, which showed him teaching religious studies. Following his appointment as Iran's third Supreme Leader on March 8, Khamenei has issued several written statements, but the lack of live audio or verified recent images had fueled widespread rumors. He was notably absent from his father's funeral services last month.

Addressing the situation this week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that communicating with the Supreme Leader is currently "very difficult."

"This time, communicating with him is very difficult," President Pezeshkian stated. "However, anyway, his presence is an extremely great source of strength for us to continue our work."

Pezeshkian added that he had held productive meetings with Khamenei, describing his demeanor as courteous and highly rational, while criticizing bad-faith actors attempting to misrepresent his condition.

Foreign leaders and media outlets have offered starkly contrasting claims. US President Donald Trump asserted last month that Khamenei was "90 percent finished," while Israeli Channel 14 recently claimed the Iranian leader remains in poor physical condition.

Because the newly released state media video lacks precise timestamps or location details, analysts note it remains unclear whether the footage accurately reflects his current health status.