Iran releases new video of Mojtaba Khamenei amid health speculation
Iranian state-controlled media has released a short, undated video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in what appears to be an effort to counter months of speculation about his health and whereabouts.
Mehr news agency published the 12-second clip, describing it as the first video of Mojtaba Khamenei since he became Iran's Supreme Leader.
The footage shows Mojtaba interacting with people around him and appearing to be in good health.
Iran’s Mehr RELEASES VIDEO of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei for ‘FIRST TIME’ pic.twitter.com/v3Rp81VfLH
— RT (@RT_com) August 8, 2026
However, the agency did not provide any details about when or where the video was recorded.
Months of silence fuel health questions
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has largely remained out of public view since succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Iran's Supreme Leader.
His absence has triggered widespread speculation about his health, particularly following reports that he suffered serious facial and leg injuries in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28 that killed his father and predecessor.
Mojtaba has issued several written statements through Iranian state-run news agencies since his appointment on March 8, but there has been no publicly released recording of his voice or recent official photograph.
He was also absent from his father's funeral ceremonies last month.
Second video released by Iranian state media
The latest footage is not the first attempt by Iranian state media to show Mojtaba in public.
On March 20, state broadcaster IRIB released another video that purportedly showed him delivering religious teaching.
"Published for the first time. A video of religious science teaching by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei," IRIB said in a post on X, without providing the date or location of the recording.
🚨 Published for the first time
— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) March 19, 2026
A video of religious science teaching by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei pic.twitter.com/uFtIvZ0POy
The similarity between the two releases has drawn attention as questions continue over the Supreme Leader's health.
Iran President says communication is difficult
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week that communicating with Mojtaba was currently "very difficult".
"It is very difficult to communicate with him at the moment, but in any case, his presence is a very great source of strength for us so that we can continue," Pezeshkian said.
The Iranian president, however, said he had managed to hold productive meetings with Mojtaba and described him as displaying "kindness and very sound logic".
Pezeshkian also suggested that the lack of public appearances had allowed what he called malicious attempts to portray Mojtaba differently.
Trump, Israeli media raise fresh questions
Speculation about Mojtaba's condition has also been fuelled by claims from foreign sources.
US President Donald Trump last month claimed that Mojtaba was "90 per cent gone", without providing evidence for the assertion.
Israel's Channel 14 has separately reported that the Iranian Supreme Leader was in "poor condition".
Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the claims about serious health problems.
The newly released video provides a rare glimpse of Mojtaba, but its undated nature makes it difficult to independently establish when the footage was recorded or whether it reflects his current condition.
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