Iran releases undated video of Mojtaba Khamenei to counter ill-health reports

Days after Israeli media reported that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”, Iran's semi-official Mehr News agency released an undated video showing him appearing to be in good health. In the video, the Supreme Leader was seen interacting with some of his followers.The video, released for the first time by Mehr, appears aimed at countering growing speculation over Khamenei's health and whereabouts. Mehr is a semi-official Iranian news agency sponsored by the government and operated by the Islamic Development Organisation.The footage comes after reports in Israeli media claimed that Khamenei had been rushed to a hospital and that concerns over his health were circulating among Iran's leadership.On Friday, Israeli Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, reported that Khamenei's condition was extremely serious. An earlier report by The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources close to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration, also reported concerns about his health.One source cited by The Jerusalem Post went so far as to say, “We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon.”The release of the video by Mehr appears to be an attempt by Iranian state-linked media to push back against the reports and reassure the public about the Supreme Leader's condition. However, the video is undated, and its timing or circumstances could not be independently verified.Meanwhile, all the conjectures revolving around Mojtaba's health garnered further momentum following President Masoud Pezeshkian's statement. As per a report by ANI, the President, in a state TV interview, said that direct communication with the Supreme Leader has become very difficult.Mojtaba, a 56-year-old Islamic cleric, became the Supreme Leader of Iran after his father died in the combined attacks of the US and Israel on February 28. Since assuming the position, he has not made any public appearances and has only communicated through written statements. He was not even seen at his father's funeral.The prolonged absence of the Supreme Leader also intensified earlier speculation about his death. In May, defying all the speculation, Khamenei's office said that the Supreme Leader is healthy and is overseeing the affairs."Enemy forces seek to provoke reactions from us by spreading rumours in order to advance their conspiracies through such responses,” the Deputy Head of the Leader’s Office for International Affairs said.- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 07:44 IST