Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, emerged from his bunker for the first time since the Israel-Iran conflict began, making an appearance at the Ashoura mourning ceremony on Saturday. In a rare public display, Khamenei waved to a large crowd but did not make any official statements. This marked a significant development as he had been confined to a security bunker throughout the war. Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have known Khamenei’s location during the conflict but stated he would not kill him.
While Khamenei did not issue any direct comments on the war during his appearance, he had previously delivered a pre-recorded statement on June 26, shortly after the cease-fire between Israel and Iran took effect. In that statement, he warned against further attacks by the U.S. or Israel on Iran, describing the strikes against a U.S. air base in Qatar as a ‘slap to America’s face.’
The conflict has intensified discussions about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, despite the recent strikes on its nuclear facilities. Experts believe that the regime is still determined to pursue nuclear weapons, even after sustaining significant damage. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Iran’s strategy likely involves repairing and rebuilding its nuclear infrastructure, while also assessing whether to engage with the international community or adopt a more isolationist approach.
Following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites last month, Iranian officials confirmed that Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz had been ‘seriously damaged.’ However, uncertainty remains regarding the full extent of the damage and whether Iran was able to relocate any critical components of its nuclear program before the strikes. While the Trump administration claimed to have ‘obliterated’ the targeted facilities, Israeli officials continue to monitor the situation closely, signaling ongoing concern over Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
As the conflict persists, the potential for future military actions remains high, particularly if Iran continues its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Analysts suggest that the regime may be seeking to buy time through diplomatic maneuvering, highlighting the ongoing strategic uncertainty in the region.