Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, made his first public appearance in weeks during a religious mourning ceremony on Saturday. He was able to go to a Ramadan iftar event at a mosque next door to his house in Tehran. There, a throng of excited fans awaited with “Bernie” chants in his favor. As Khamenei, a robust 86-year-old, is once again in the news. His return marks a new chapter amid heightened security concerns, with reports surfacing that he had been living in a bunker amid escalating threats on his life.
As Khamenei walked into the mosque, the room buzzed electric with energy. The audience leapt to their feet, exuberantly expressing their religious devotion and loyalty to their chieftain. His first trip to Israel comes during an unprecedented war between Iran and Israel that has rattled both countries to the core.
Context of the Conflict
The situation quickly deteriorated as conflict deepened when Israel acted with force against Iran, accusing them of moving toward possessing nuclear weapons. Things escalated significantly when Iran escalated in kind, firing more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel. For one, most of these incoming projectiles were either intercepted before they could do damage or didn’t even reach their target. These hostilities have resulted in over 900 deaths in Iran at the hands of security services and thousands injured.
Unsurprisingly, Khamenei has been quite outspoken during this time of upheaval. On June 26, in an unusual move, he personally released a pre-recorded statement doubling down on Iran’s military aggression. He dubbed the US missile strikes a “slap to America’s face.” This warning came on the heels of Iran’s proactive attack against a U.S. air base in Qatar. This proclamation served to reassert Iran’s steadfast resistance against what it considers as U.S. hostility. It served to strengthen Khamenei’s image at home, as a strong leader bravely resisting outside enemies.
“slap to America’s face” – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
As tensions reached a tipping point, former U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his own warning shot across the bow at Khamenei. He let slip that he knows where the Iranian leader is hiding. Yet he chose not to act lethally, at least not yet. Trump promised that such increased assaults on Iran would be met with repercussions. Both the U.S. and Israel would pay a “very heavy price” for taking such actions.
“heavy price” – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Khamenei’s Leadership and Public Response
Khamenei’s reappearance now matters greatly not only for what he said, but for when he reappeared. It opens up serious doubts over his leadership at this pivotal time in Iranian history. His black robe and turban are a sign of him being a supreme leader. By participating in the mourning ceremony, he is showing he is still in solidarity with the Iranian people.
The enormous—and enormously enthusiastic—crowd that turned out in support of Khamenei shows just how much support he still has within Iran. His talent for building consensus will be tested, they say, at this key moment for the country as it works to emerge from these stormy waters. All of us are pretty focused on what he says and does, including here in the United States and beyond. They play a huge role in determining Iran’s foreign policy trajectory.
Impact of Recent Developments
Understandably, the continued devastation and loss of life from the conflict has caused immeasurable pain to both countries. The war has increased tensions across Eurasia, and international observers are wary of the risk of further escalation. The humanitarian toll has been unprecedented, with over 70,000 Palestinian injuries and 20,000 deaths reported as of July 2023.
Khamenei’s public appearances—each one, and particularly after long periods of absence—are essential to sustaining the morale of his lieutenants and backers. His message of resilience against foreign adversaries resonates strongly among many Iranians, who view him as a symbol of national pride.
