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Undated video, disputed timing
Iran released an undated video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei presiding over a religious academic study session, showing the 56-year-old leader listening to a student’s thesis and giving a score of 19.5 out of 20, describing it as ‘flawless’.
“He gives the student a score of 19.5 out of 20, describing the thesis as ‘flawless’.”
The footage, shared by Iran’s Fars news agency, also shows Mojtaba schooling the students on the ‘Islamic Security Model’ of the Iranian regime, but it remains unclear when the video was recorded.
CNBC TV18 said the video appears to be the first public recording of his voice since he assumed the country’s top leadership position, while Hindustan Times said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
The release comes after Mojtaba took over as Supreme Leader following the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, and amid ongoing questions about his health and whereabouts.
Health claims and denials
Speculation about Mojtaba’s condition has persisted since reports before and after his appointment claimed the Iranian leader was injured and ’disfigured’ in the attack in central Tehran, with CNBC TV18 adding that he reportedly sustained a significant injury to one or both legs and is currently receiving treatment.
Reuters was cited by CNBC TV18 saying, “He is taking part in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing and is engaged in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations with Washington,” as Iranian authorities released several videos without independent verification.
In a separate account, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed the speculation, telling ISNA that Mojtaba Khamenei is "completely healthy" and saying, "Someone who can sit and discuss for seven to eight hours cannot have any health problems," according to ANI.
Devdiscourse also reported that Al Arabiya said the Fars footage was reportedly filmed before Khamenei became the Supreme Leader, while noting it was the second video released by Iranian media in August.
War backdrop and Strait of Hormuz
The video release arrives as the conflict between Iran and the United States enters its sixth month, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major flashpoint, CNBC TV18 reporting that thousands of sailors remain stranded in the Gulf.
“Daily transits briefly rose to 36 following a US-Iran agreement in June”
CNBC TV18 said daily transits briefly rose to 36 following a US-Iran agreement in June, but fell again after fighting resumed on July 8, averaging around 15 transits a day between July 8 and August 22.
News18 framed the same undated footage as appearing to be the first time Mojtaba’s voice is heard publicly since the war began, and it placed the release amid “mounting uncertainty over Mojtaba’s well-being.”
Al Jazeera Net’s open-source reporting unit said the clip’s narrative of a new appearance was undermined by its archival elements, while the ANI and other outlets continued to describe the Fars release as rare footage shared amid health concerns.