Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a rare public appearance on Saturday at a religious gathering for Ashura, as reported by Iranian state media. This marked his first public sighting since Iran became embroiled in a sudden and intense conflict beginning June 13.
That conflict began when Israel launched unilateral strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, followed by U.S. airstrikes on three critical nuclear sites. The escalation prompted widespread concern before a ceasefire was announced by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Khamenei Survives Leadership Threats Amid U.S.-Israel Pressure and Post-Conflict Defiance
During the 12-day conflict, Khamenei reportedly went into hiding, staying in a bunker with minimal communication. Both Israeli and American leaders hinted at or directly threatened the possibility of removing him from power.
Trump labeled Khamenei an “easy target,” and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that killing the cleric would likely bring the conflict to an end. These threats highlighted how deeply personal the standoff became, with Khamenei’s leadership seemingly on the line.
Khamenei Reemerges After U.S.-Israel Strikes, Defies Trump Amid Mounting Domestic and Global PressureFollowing the ceasefire, Khamenei issued a recorded statement from an undisclosed location in which he declared victory over both the U.S. and Israel. He dismissed Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender, insisting that the conflict was never about nuclear weapons but rather an effort to break the will of the Islamic Republic.
Khamenei maintained that the U.S. has long opposed Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution and vowed that surrender would “never happen.”
Khamenei Faces Domestic Doubts as U.S. Pressure Mounts Over Iran’s Nuclear Future
Despite his defiant rhetoric, analysts believe the conflict has likely damaged Khamenei’s credibility within Iran. Israeli airstrikes inflicted heavy damage and killed high-ranking military officials in a single day—an unprecedented breach of Iranian security.
Critics argue that the government’s inability to protect its people has undermined the longstanding social contract in which the regime justified curtailing freedoms in exchange for security.
Khamenei’s reappearance coincided with fresh warnings from Trump, who declared the U.S. would not allow Iran to restart its nuclear program. Echoing Israel’s position, Trump emphasized the need to prevent Iran from reestablishing its missile or nuclear capabilities.
While Trump claimed Iran is open to negotiations, Iranian officials have consistently denied any such intent. Nonetheless, the U.S. is reportedly exploring incentives—including lifting sanctions and releasing frozen funds—to lure Iran back to the bargaining table.