Iran's Supreme Leader Makes First Public Appearance Since Conflict With Israel Erupts
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a religious ceremony on July 5, his first public appearance in weeks, according to Iran's state-run Press TV.
Khamenei has not been seen in public since his country was pushed into the conflict on June 13, when Israel unilaterally bombed Iran's military and nuclear facilities, according to CNN. The US later joined in, bombing three key Iranian nuclear facilities before President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire.
In a video posted by Press TV on social media X, Khamenei waved to a crowd of black-clad worshippers celebrating Ashura, the anniversary of the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The crowd greeted the leader with chants and cheers.
Khamenei, the Middle East's longest-serving leader, reportedly spent the 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States holed up in a bunker with little access to outside information. During the conflict, both Israeli politicians and President Trump openly discussed overthrowing Khamenei's government and removing him by force. Trump even called the Iranian leader an "easy target."
In a recorded statement released from an undisclosed location days after the ceasefire began, Khamenei struck a defiant tone, declaring victory over both Israel and the United States. He also responded directly to President Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender.”
"This issue is not about our nuclear program," Khamenei said. "This is about Iran surrendering... in his statement, (Mr. Trump) revealed the truth. The Americans have had a fundamental problem with an Islamic Iran since our revolution." "And that will never happen," Khamenei insisted.
Khamenei's public appearance came a day after President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States would not allow Iran to restart its nuclear program. "If they start, there will be a problem. We will not let that happen," Trump said on July 4.
Mr Trump said he would discuss the earlier airstrikes with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to visit Washington on July 7. The comments echoed earlier statements by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said his country must maintain “air superiority” over Iran.
In another development, Mr. Trump reiterated that Iran wants to meet with the United States for negotiations, a claim that Iranian officials have repeatedly denied.
But four sources familiar with the matter said the Trump administration has discussed the possibility of giving Iran access to up to $30 billion to build its civilian nuclear program, easing sanctions and releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds — all as part of an effort to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table.
