Iranian state media aired footage on 5 July of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attending an Ashura mourning ceremony at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosque, marking his first public appearance since the 12-day war with Israel that ended on 24 June. The 86-year-old cleric, dressed in black, waved to worshippers but did not deliver a speech. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other senior officials were present as security remained tight around the venue. Khamenei had not been seen in public since Israeli strikes on 13 June triggered the brief but intense conflict, prompting widespread speculation that he had been moved to a secure bunker. During the fighting, Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, while the United States carried out separate raids on Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Iran responded by firing more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel. Tehran says the war killed over 900 people inside Iran; Israeli authorities reported 28 fatalities. The leader’s re-emergence comes as Iran deepens its confrontation with Western powers. Last week President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, limiting access to damaged nuclear sites. Diplomats say it is unclear whether Tehran will resume stalled talks with Washington over its nuclear programme, but Khamenei’s public appearance signals the leadership’s bid to project stability after weeks of conflict and speculation.