The First Emergence Of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei During Iran And Israel's Ceasefire

The appearance of Iran's Highest Leader, Ali Khamenei on Iran's national television channel on Saturday (5/7/2025). (EPA)

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared in public for the first time on Saturday (5/7) since the end of the war with Israel to participate in the Ashura ceremony in Tehran.

Khamenei was previously not present at the Islamic New Year ceremony, Muharram, which for the last three nights was held at his residence on Jalan Palestina. However, on Saturday he attended a solemn ceremony to commemorate the solemnity of Imam Hussain.

Video footage uploaded on X by the official account of the highest leader shows the audience at Imam Khomeini Hosseinieh's residence welcoming Khamenei as she enters the hall.

During the 12-day war between Iran and Israel last month, US President Donald Trump and Tel Aviv threatened to kill Khamenei.

Khamenei was seen delivering several speeches during the attack on Iran. After the ceasefire was reached, Iran accused Washington of participating in the attack to save Tel Aviv, which Iran responded to with a counterattack.

Muharram's first three days this year were held at Khamenei's residence for the first time without his presence.

The conflict between Iran and Israel broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian military, nuclear and civilian facilities, which killed at least 935 people. Iran's Ministry of Health reported 5,332 people were injured.

Tehran then launched a drone missile strike in retaliation, killing at least 29 people and injuring more than 3,400 others, according to figures released by Jerusalem's Hebrew University.

The United States bombarded Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, which escalated the conflict.

The conflict ended with a US-sponsored ceasefire deal and took effect on June 24.