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

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.Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appears in a videoDays 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.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. - EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 07:44 IST