Iran has released a rare, undated video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei presiding over a religious academic study session, in what appears to be the first time his voice has been heard. The video shows the 56-year-old leader listening as a student presents a thesis before offering his assessment of the work.
Shared by Iran’s Fars news agency, the previously unseen footage interacting with the students. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Mojtaba’s health concerns
Mojtaba took over as Iran’s Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, setting off the ongoing war.
Reports emerging before and after his appointment, however, claimed that Mojtaba was injured and may have been disfigured in the same strikes. He is reportedly receiving treatment.
He has not made a public appearance since the attack or since taking over as Supreme Leader. This includes his father’s funeral last month.
Iran has released several videos in response to speculation about his health, but none of them can be independently verified.
According to reports, Mojtaba has been staying in touch with senior Islamic Republic officials through a slow network of intermediaries to reduce the risk of being targeted.
