Iran has released, for the first time, rare footage of its Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei presiding over a religious academic study session. In the video, the 56-year-old leader is seen listening
to a student present a thesis and offering an assessment of the work.
The development comes amid mounting uncertainty over Mojtaba’s well-being. Reports suggest he was seriously injured in the coordinated US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei.
Shared by Iran’s Fars news agency, the previously unseen video also carries Mojtaba’s voice as he schools the students on the “Islamic Security Model” of the Iranian regime. However, it remains unclear when the video was recorded.
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in FIRST-TIME-SEEN footage
Released publicly for the first time by Iranian media, footage shows him presiding over a religious academic study session pic.twitter.com/iIIl0pLAgS
— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) August 24, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was named the Supreme Leader of Iran following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei. 86-year-old Khamenei was killed on the opening day of the US-Israeli strikes that led to the unfolding of a large-scale war in West Asia.
In the video, Mojtaba gives the thesis present by his student a score of 19.5 out of 20, describing it as “flawless”. The undated video offers a rare glimpse of the Iranian leader amid global attention over his behind-the-scenes role and leadership in Iran’s political and military establishment.
Since the war began, Mojtaba has stayed out of public view, with several US officials and media reports suggesting he is still recovering from severe “facial and leg” injuries sustained in the February 28 strikes.
A Reuters report in April citing sources said the Iranian leader was “disfigured” in the attack on the Supreme Leader’s compound in central Tehran, sustaining a significant injury to one or both legs.
However, the report suggested that Mojtaba was recovering from his wounds and remained “mentally sharp”. “He is taking part in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing and is engaged in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations with Washington”, according to Reuters.
US-Iran Tensions
Tensions have, once again, mounted between the United States and Iran. Recently, a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries expired, with the US President saying no further talks were underway with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Washington has stepped up its economic pressure on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiling a sanctions campaign aimed at cutting off Tehran’s financial lifelines as the war approaches its six-month mark.
Restoration of shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz –– which accounts of nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade –– remains a major point of difference between the two sides.
Bessent announced that Washington would expand secondary sanctions and warned countries that continue dealing with Iran that they could “share in the isolation” of Tehran.
