According to state media, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made his first public appearance since the Iranian conflict with Israel began.
State TV video showed him the greeting worshippers at the mosque at a ceremony the day before the Shia Ashura festival on Saturday.
Khamenei’s last appearance was at the record address during the conflict with Israel, a speech that began on June 13, during which senior Iranian commander and nuclear scientists were killed.
Iran has since retaliated with air strikes against Israel after it launched a surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear and military sites.
During the 12-day war with Israel, Khamenei appeared on TV with three video messages, and there were speculation that he was hiding in a bunker.
On Saturday, Iranian media reports were dominated by the appearance of Khamenei, and supporters were happy to see him on TV.
Khamenei turned to senior pastor Mahmoud Karimi to encourage him to “sing, Iran, Iran”. Patriotic songs have become particularly popular in recent conflicts with Israel.
The clip was filmed at the Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran, named after the founder of the Islamic Republic, state television said.
Iranian TV invited people to send videos to share their reactions to Khamenei’s return to public eye.
When Shia Muslim state observes the mourning period in Muharram, traditionally attended by the supreme leader, his appearance is to appear.
Ashura is held on the 10th day of Muharram – July 6 this year – Shia Muslims commemorates the death of Hossein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
On June 26, in a prerecorded remarks aired on state television, Khamenei said that despite the phone call from US President Donald Trump, Iran will not surrender to Israel.
The United States joins the war by strike Iranian nuclear facilities June 22.
The operation involved 125 U.S. military aircraft and targeted three nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
The Iranian judiciary said more than 900 people were killed during the 12-day war.
