Iran supreme leader in first public appearance since Israel war

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since Iran’s recent 12‑day war with Israel, attending a ceremony at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosque ahead of the Shia festival of Ashura. The conflict began on 13 June with an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes. The United States also joined, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities on 22 June, which resulted in over 900 casualties. Khamenei had previously only appeared in pre‑recorded messages, but his return was widely covered by Iranian state media, encouraging public celebration.