Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency released a rare, undated 12-second video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on August 8-9, 2026, showing him speaking with a group of men in what state media said was a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian. The release came as reports circulated that Khamenei was in critical condition, marking the first footage of the 56-year-old leader since he assumed office in March.
Khamenei was named Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026, following the February 28 US-Israeli airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran for 37 years. In that same strike, Mojtaba Khamenei suffered severe facial and leg injuries, according to both Washington and Tehran. The injuries prompted widespread speculation about his health and ability to govern.
Since taking office, Khamenei has been almost entirely absent from public view. The newly released video provides no context about when or where it was recorded, and observers noted that the footage shows no visible signs of the injuries he sustained in February. The video’s angle and framing deliberately position Khamenei so that the right side of his face remains out of view, according to analysis by Israeli media.
The video’s release appeared designed to counter mounting speculation about Khamenei’s condition. Israeli media had reported days earlier that he was hospitalized in extremely critical condition. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that his health is deteriorating and dismissed claims that he serves as a puppet for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps backing his rule.
President Pezeshkian has given conflicting accounts of his access to the Supreme Leader in recent weeks. On July 21, he said interactions with Khamenei were “increasing day by day,” but in early August he described communicating with him as “very difficult.” According to state media, the alleged late-July meeting between the two covered military affairs and the economy, including foreign exchange management and energy use.
Basij Organization deputy Qasem Qoraishi said on Sunday that more footage would follow, including video of Khamenei walking among the public on Tehran’s streets and meeting with armed forces commanders. Qoraishi said the footage would “once again bring disgrace upon the enemies and detractors of the Iranian people,” framing the video releases as a response to what Tehran views as hostile speculation.
The video’s credibility has been questioned by analysts. It bears similarity to footage released earlier in 2026, and Iran has previously circulated AI-generated images and videos of Khamenei after initial rumors he had been killed in the February airstrike. The undated nature of the new video and the absence of any visible injuries leave open the question of when it was actually recorded—whether before the war, during his recovery, or more recently.
Khamenei’s extended absence from public life stands in sharp contrast to the visibility expected of Iran’s supreme leader. His father regularly appeared in public meetings, addresses, and religious ceremonies. The younger Khamenei’s low profile, combined with reports of serious injuries and conflicting statements from government officials about his condition, has fueled persistent questions about his health and the stability of his authority.
Sources
- Anadolu Agency — video release by Mehr News, Pezeshkian meeting report, lack of date and location specification
- The Jerusalem Post — video details, Pezeshkian’s conflicting statements on access, state media reports of meeting content, Qoraishi’s promise of future footage
- New York Post — video analysis showing no visible injuries, timing questions, Pezeshkian’s account of dark car meeting with unclear identity verification
- BBC, NDTV, Times of India — Khamenei’s injuries in February 28 airstrike, background on his succession, health reports context
- NBC News, AP News, Reuters — March 2026 succession announcement, father’s death in airstrike, 56-year-old age
