TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since the outbreak of the 12-day war with Israel, state media reported Saturday, marking a symbolic return to the public eye on the eve of the Shia religious observance of Ashura.

State television aired footage showing Khamenei greeting worshippers at Tehran’s Khomeini Mosque during a religious ceremony, following weeks of absence that had fueled speculation over his whereabouts.

During the conflict, he had only appeared via three recorded video addresses, prompting widespread reports that he was sheltering in a bunker.

The war began on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise attack on multiple nuclear and military sites in Iran, reportedly killing senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran responded with aerial strikes against Israel. The conflict ended with a ceasefire after 12 days of escalating hostilities.

Two days after the truce, Khamenei appeared in a video address, claiming “victory” and asserting that the United States had gained “no achievements” from its involvement.

U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Khamenei’s narrative, stating that American strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites and saved the Iranian leader from “a very ugly and ignominious death.”

Khamenei’s reemergence on Saturday was met with a media blitz across Iranian state channels.

Supporters were seen expressing joy at his presence, while patriotic songs — such as “Sing the anthem, O Iran” — echoed during the broadcast.

The footage showed the supreme leader speaking with senior cleric Mahmoud Karimi at the mosque named after the founder of the Islamic Republic.

During the war, Iran’s judiciary confirmed that more than 900 people were killed, with U.S. involvement beginning on June 22 when 125 U.S. military aircraft targeted three nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. — Agencies