New Delhi: An undated video showing Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei appearing to be in good health has surfaced amid renewed speculation over his condition and whereabouts. The footage, released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News agency, appears aimed at countering reports that Khamenei is in critical condition.

However, the video does not establish when it was recorded, leaving a key question unanswered: is this a recent appearance or an old video released to push back against mounting speculation?

Mehr published the footage for the first time, according to the information provided, in an apparent effort to counter reports circulating over Khamenei’s health and location. The agency is semi-official and sponsored by the Iranian government and run by the government’s Islamic Development Organisation.

The video emerged days after Israeli media reports claimed that Khamenei was in an “extremely critical condition”. Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, and an earlier report by The Jerusalem Post, citing IranWire and sources close to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, said concerns over his health were circulating within Iran’s leadership.

One source cited by The Jerusalem Post had claimed that there could soon be news of Khamenei’s “martyrdom”.

Where is Mojtaba Khamenei?

The uncertainty over Khamenei’s condition has been compounded by his absence from public view since he assumed the position of Supreme Leader following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli military strikes on February 28.

Since taking office, Khamenei has not made a public appearance and has communicated exclusively through written statements.

Reports have claimed that he was injured in the initial strikes targeting his father’s compound and may have suffered disfiguring injuries. Those reports said he was subsequently forced into hiding and relied on a network of intermediaries to communicate with senior regime figures.

His exact location has remained unclear.

In July, Saudi news outlet al-Hadath, citing an Israeli security source, reported that Khamenei was “not in Iran”.

US President Donald Trump also claimed in a Fox News interview around the same period that Iran’s top military leadership had been eliminated. Trump said Khamenei was “90% gone” and incapacitated following the military campaign.

Pezeshkian says direct contact is difficult

Adding to the questions surrounding Khamenei’s status, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged in a state television interview that direct interaction with the Supreme Leader was currently “very difficult”.

At the same time, Iranian officials have rejected claims that Khamenei’s condition is as severe as reported by Western and opposition intelligence sources.

Representatives from Iran’s Health Ministry had previously described his initial injuries as superficial, while senior officials maintained that he continued to provide strategic oversight and operational directives.

With ANI inputs