STORY: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a religious event on Saturday (July 5) according to a video carried by state television, after reports that he was in a "secure location" since the start of a 12-day air war with Israel in which top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists were killed.

The video carried by state media showed dozens attending a ceremony to mark Ashura, the holiest day of the Shi'ite Muslim calendar, standing chanting as Khamenei entered a hall where many government functions are held.

For apparent security reasons, Khamenei had issued pre-taped messages during the war which started on June 13, and avoided public appearances.

On June 26, in pre-recorded remarks aired on state television, Khamenei promised that Iran would not surrender despite U.S. President Donald Trump's calls.

Israel launched the air war on June 13, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.

Iran retaliated with barrages of missiles on Israeli military sites, infrastructure and cities. The United States entered the war on June 22 with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: TEHRAN, IRAN (JULY 5, 2025) (POOL VIA WANA - No use BBC Persian. No use VOA Persian. No use Manoto. No use Iran International)

1. PEOPLE STANDING UP AND CHANTING AS IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI ENTERS

2. KHAMENEI WAVING AND TAKING HIS SEAT / PEOPLE CHANTING (Farsi): "Lion, lion"

3. MEN CHANTING CHANTING (Farsi): "LION, LION"

4. KHAMENEI / AUDIO OF PEOPLE CHANTING (Farsi): "Lion, lion"

5. WOMEN CHANTING

6. PEOPLE CHANTING (Farsi): "The blood in our veins is a gift to our Leader"

7. VARIOUS OF KHAMENEI LOOKING ON / PEOPLE CHANTING