09.08.2026 07:10
Following claims that Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei's health condition is critical, Mehr News Agency released an undated video. While the footage, in which Khamenei appears healthy, sparked debate, unverified allegations emerged suggesting the video was either recorded in the past or generated with artificial intelligence. The failure to disclose the date of the footage raised further questions.
Following reports in the Israeli press that Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been hospitalized and was in critical condition, Iran made a notable move.
Mehr News Agency, a semi-official outlet linked to the Iranian government, released a video showing Mojtaba Khamenei appearing in good health. However, the agency did not share information about the date the footage was recorded.
Mehr's first release of footage of Khamenei was seen as an attempt to respond to claims about the supreme leader's health condition and whereabouts.
ISRAELI PRESS CLAIMED HIS CONDITION WAS 'EXTREMELY CRITICAL'
The Israeli press reported on Friday that Khamenei's health condition was 'extremely critical.'
Those reports reignited discussions about the health and location of the Iranian leader, who has not appeared in public for a long time.
Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran's new supreme leader shortly after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint US-Israeli military attack on February 28.
HAS NOT APPEARED IN PUBLIC SINCE TAKING OFFICE
According to reports, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since assuming the role of supreme leader, communicating his messages only through written statements.
Some reports suggested that Khamenei was wounded in the attacks and has since communicated with senior Iranian officials through intermediaries.
The Iranian government, however, maintained that Khamenei's wounds were superficial. Iranian officials also stated that the supreme leader continues to oversee important decisions and issue directives.
PEZESHKIAN: DIRECT COMMUNICATION IS VERY DIFFICULT
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's statement in an interview with state television that direct communication with Khamenei is currently 'very difficult' also intensified the discussions.
Khamenei's failure to appear live in public or address the people directly has led to the continuation of claims regarding his health condition and capacity to govern the country.
Sources linked to Western and Iranian opposition circles alleged that Khamenei was seriously wounded and, therefore, communicated through written statements and intermediaries.
CLAIM OF 'NOT IN IRAN'
Saudi Arabia-based Al Hadath, citing an Israeli security source in July, claimed that Khamenei was 'not in Iran.'
US President Donald Trump later, in a statement to Fox News, also claimed that Iran's top military leadership had been eliminated and that Khamenei had been largely neutralized following military operations.
NOTABLE CLAIM REGARDING PEZESHKIAN'S SECRET MEETING
Iran International also alleged that President Masoud Pezeshkian was taken to an undisclosed location in Tehran and held a brief meeting with an individual introduced to him as Mojtaba Khamenei.
The report claimed that Pezeshkian was taken to the back seat of a dark vehicle with tinted windows, where the individual introduced as Khamenei was also present.
It was further alleged that due to security measures, the two were not allowed to see or shake hands with each other, and the meeting was conducted only by voice.
Iran International also claimed that Pezeshkian later questioned whether the voice he heard during the meeting truly belonged to Mojtaba Khamenei.
UNDATED VIDEO DID NOT END DISCUSSIONS
Although the footage released by Mehr News Agency shows Khamenei in good health, the failure to disclose the recording date of the video did not completely eliminate discussions about his current health condition.
While Iranian officials state that Khamenei continues to perform his duties, the absence of a live public appearance means claims about his health and whereabouts persist.