Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei makes 1st appearance since Iran-Israel war


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Summary

Iran's Supreme Leader seen in public

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance in weeks, according to state television footage. He had previously made a recorded address after the United States struck three of Iran's nuclear sites.

BRICS condemns attacks on Iran

At a Sunday summit in Brazil, the BRICS block of developing nations condemned the attacks on Iran during a meeting.

Carlson interviews Pezeshkian

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has criticized the U.S. attacks on Iran, interviewed President Masoud Pezeshkian remotely and through a translator.


Full story

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, July 5, made a public appearance for the first time since Iran and Israel’s conflict began. The BBC reported that Khamenei was at a mosque for an Ashura ceremony, during which Shia Muslims commemorate the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hossein.

Before that, Khamenei had last been seen in a recorded address on June 25, where he said that the United States would “definitely pay a heavy price” if they attacked Iran again. These remarks came after the United States struck three of Iran’s nuclear sites and a 12-day war between Iran and Israel. That was started on June 13, when Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities.

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State television footage shows Khamenei walking onto a stage in front of a cheering crowd of people, waving to them and then sitting in a chair on the side of the stage. Also in attendance were Iran’s vice president, minister of justice and speaker of the Parliament, who were sitting on the floor, the New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, July 6, the BRICS block of developing nations condemned the attacks on Iran during a meeting in Brazil. Although Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was expected to attend the summit before the June assault, he sent Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi instead.

The Associated Press wrote that Aragchi called Israel’s strikes an “invasion,” and that both them and the United States should be held accountable for rights violations.

BRICS originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The organization included Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates in 2024.

Tucker Carlson interviews Iran’s president

On Saturday, July 5, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson previewed his interview with Pezeshkian in a video on X.

“We know we’ll be criticized for doing this interview. Why did we do it anyway?” Carlson said. “Well, we did it because we were just at war with Iran 10 days ago, and maybe again.” He added that “American citizens have the constitutional right and God-given right to all the information they can gather about matters that affect them.”

Since Carlson doesn’t speak Persian, the interview was done remotely and through a translator, which Carlson said is “always awkward.”

“There are all kinds of questions I didn’t ask the president of Iran, particularly questions I knew I could not get an honest answer to,” Carlson said.

Among these questions are whether Iran’s nuclear program was disabled.

“There’s no chance he’s going to answer that question honestly,” Carlson said. “I didn’t bother to ask it. The answer, in fact, from an American perspective, even from the CIA’s perspective, is unknowable.”

Questions Carlson said he did ask Pezeshkian were “What is your goal? Do you seek war with the United States? Do you seek war with Israel?”

Carlson previously criticized the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and got into a heated exchange about it with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

In his video, Carlson also said he put in three interview requests to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Why this story matters

The public reappearance of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reactions to recent conflicts with Israel highlight ongoing regional instability, international diplomatic tensions and debates over nuclear security impacting global security interests.

Leadership visibility

Ayatollah Khamenei's public appearance, as reported by state media, addresses speculation about his status during the conflict and signals efforts to reassure the Iranian public after the recent hostilities with Israel.

Regional conflict

The recent exchange of military attacks between Israel and Iran, described by both Iranian and international sources, underscores rising tensions in the Middle East with potential consequences for regional and international stability.

International narratives

Differing claims about the outcome of strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and diplomatic responses from figures such as President Trump and Iran's foreign minister illustrate ongoing disputes and competing narratives about accountability and the consequences of military action.

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