Iran's supreme leader appears on video
On Saturday, Iran's semi official Mehr news agency published a video on the Telegram social network featuring Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. When a country that lost its spiritual leader in an airstrike sees its new supreme leader on video for the first time in months, the event goes far beyond a routine news story. Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared on camera for the first time since his election in March – and his image is surrounded not only by people but also by questions.
Where was it? When? Who are the people next to him? The Mehr agency gives no answers, leaving room for interpretation. In a region where every gesture of a leader can shift the balance of power, the appearance of the younger Khamenei in the public sphere is not just a video – it is a message addressed to both allies and enemies, awaiting a signal of continuity or change.
In the video, Mojtaba Khamenei, surrounded by several people, is speaking with those around him. The Mehr report does not specify when or where the video was recorded, nor does it identify the people with him. On 28 February, the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with a series of missile and drone strikes on US and Israeli bases and facilities in the region. Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's son, was elected as Iran's new supreme leader by the country's Assembly of Experts in early March.
Since his election in March 2026, Mojtaba Khamenei's public appearances have been extremely rare, and this video is the first visual evidence of his activity since taking office. The lack of precise information about the time and place of the recording has given rise to many interpretations: some experts believe the footage was shot in Tehran in recent days, while others think it is archival material published to demonstrate stability.
The killing of Ali Khamenei in February was the most serious blow to Iran in decades, and the retaliatory strikes on US and Israeli targets only heightened regional tensions. The new supreme leader, who previously focused on religious activities and had no public political experience, now faces the challenge of maintaining unity at home while confronting external threats. His appearance on video may be interpreted as an attempt to consolidate his authority amid ongoing conflicts.
As CCTV+ reports, the release of the video featuring Mojtaba Khamenei has become yet another signal that the Iranian leadership is seeking to demonstrate continuity and a readiness to stay the course, despite the losses suffered and the continuing military threat from the US and its allies.
