'Critical' no more? Iran shares surprise video of Mojtaba Khamenei
Iranian state media released a video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to dispel rumors of his critical health following reports of his injury in a military strike. The video is the first visual evidence of his status since he assumed power after his father's death.
Why it matters
The health and stability of Iran's leadership are critical factors in ongoing Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions and regional security.
Days after Israeli media reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was in critical condition and had been hospitalised, Iran’s semi-official Mehr News agency released an undated video showing him appearing to be in good health.The video of Mojtaba Khamenei was published for the first time by Mehr, a semi-official Iranian news agency linked to the government, in an apparent effort to counter growing speculation about the Supreme Leader’s health and whereabouts.Earlier on Friday, Israeli media reported that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”, adding to speculation over his health and whereabouts.Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader shortly after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.
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