Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Iran releases Khamenei video after Israeli critical condition reports
In the country of Iran, the most powerful leader is called the Supreme Leader.
After American and Israeli forces attacked Iran on February 28, the old leader died, and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, became the new Supreme Leader.
Since that day, he has not appeared in public or on television, and he even missed his father's funeral, talking to people only through written letters.
Israeli news reporters say he was badly hurt in the attacks and is now very sick in a hospital, and they think he could pass away at any moment.
But the Iranian government says these stories are not true and that his injuries were small.
Iran's president says it is hard to talk to him right now, but that he is still a strong and smart leader.
To show everyone that he is okay, Iran's government-backed news agency released a video of him looking healthy.
No one knows when the video was made, and since he has not spoken on live television, people outside Iran still cannot be sure how he is really doing.
Israeli Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, and The Jerusalem Post, quoting IranWire and sources close to President Pezeshkian's administration, report Khamenei is in 'extremely critical condition' and has been hospitalised.
Iran's semi-official Mehr News agency released an undated video appearing to show Khamenei in good health, his first video since taking office, in an apparent bid to counter the speculation.
Khamenei became Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, and has made no public appearances since, communicating only through written statements and skipping his father's funeral.
Iranian officials and the Health Ministry reject the reports, calling his injuries superficial, while Pezeshkian said direct communication with him is 'very difficult' but his presence is 'a very great source of strength.'
A source cited by The Jerusalem Post said 'We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon'; earlier, Trump called him '90% gone' and Saudi outlet al-Hadath claimed he was 'not in Iran.'
- Who
- Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei; President Masoud Pezeshkian; Israeli outlets Channel 14 and The Jerusalem Post; Iran's semi-official Mehr News agency
- What
- Israeli media report that Khamenei is in 'extremely critical condition' and has been hospitalised, while Iranian officials deny it and Mehr released an undated video showing him in apparent good health
- When
- Israeli reports surfaced around Friday, August 8, 2026, months after the February 28, 2026 strikes; Mehr published the video on August 8-9, 2026
- Where
- Iran (Tehran), with claims reported by Israeli outlets citing sources inside Iran and by IranWire citing sources close to President Pezeshkian's administration
- Why
- Khamenei's prolonged absence from public view, reliance on written statements, and Pezeshkian's admission that direct interaction is 'very difficult' have fuelled intense speculation about his health and the stability of Iran's leadership
Reports of critical condition
Iranian official denials
Khamenei's health
Reports of critical condition
Israeli Channel 14, citing sources inside Iran, claims Khamenei's condition is 'extremely critical' and that he has been hospitalised, while IranWire sources close to Pezeshkian's administration say his physical condition is poor and he could 'die at any moment'; one source said 'We would not be surprised if we heard news of his martyrdom soon.'
Iranian official denials
Iranian officials and the Health Ministry reject the reports, saying his injuries from the February strike were superficial, and Mehr released an undated video apparently showing him in good health.
Ability to govern
Reports of critical condition
Sources say Khamenei has not met any cabinet members since the February 28 attack and communicates only through a slow network of intermediaries to avoid targeting; Pezeshkian admitted direct interaction with him is 'very difficult.'
Iranian official denials
Pezeshkian says he has held productive meetings with Khamenei, describes him as having 'very sound logic,' and says his presence is 'a very great source of strength' so the government can continue.
- Reported condition
- 'Extremely critical' and hospitalised, per Israeli Channel 14 citing sources inside Iran
- Subject
- Mojtaba Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
- Took office
- After his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026
- Video response
- Mehr News agency released an undated video showing him in apparent good health - the first video since he took office
- Reporting outlets
- Channel 14; The Jerusalem Post citing IranWire and sources close to President Pezeshkian's administration
- Iran's official response
- Health Ministry called his initial injuries superficial; officials say he continues to provide strategic oversight
- Pezeshkian's comment
- Direct interaction is 'very difficult,' but his presence is 'a very great source of strength'
- Other claims
- US President Donald Trump said Khamenei was '90% gone'; Saudi outlet al-Hadath claimed he was 'not in Iran'
Sources
Iran Releases Video Of Mojtaba Khamenei After Reports Claiming Supreme Leader Was Critically Ill
Mojtaba Khamenei makes an appearance amid Israeli reports of his death, but in undated video
'Could die at any moment': Israeli media claims Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei is in 'critical condition'
Iranian Media Releases Undated Video of Mojtaba Khamenei After Israeli Media Report on His Poor Health
Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Rushed To Hospital In Critical Condition
