Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday made his first public appearance since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran began last month, attending a mourning ceremony to mark the Shiite holy day of Ashura.

Khamenei’s absence during the war suggested that there was heavy security for the Iranian leader, who has the final say on all state matters.

State TV in Iran showed the 86-year-old leader waving and nodding to the chanting crowd, which rose to its feet as he entered and sat at a mosque next to his office and residence in the capital, Tehran.

There was no immediate report on any public statement made. Iranian officials such as the Parliament speaker were present. Such events are always held under heavy security.

Khamenei had reportedly sheltered in a bunker for the duration of the war, and after, for fear of being assassinated. He had instead issued pre-taped messages, and state television had aired his pre-recorded remarks.

His last public appearance before the outbreak of war on June 13 was two days before that, when he met with members of parliament.

After the US directly inserted itself into the war by bombing three key nuclear sites on June 22, US President Donald Trump sent warnings via social media to Khamenei that Washington knew where he was but had no........

© The Times of Israel