Paramilitary promises footage of supreme leader unseen since March

A leader within Iran's paramilitary Basij Organization has stated that footage of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will be released, addressing speculation about his health and public absence since March. Deputy Qasem Qoraishi announced that the forthcoming footage would serve to "once again bring disgrace upon the enemies and detractors of the Iranian people."

Khamenei's public profile has been notably low since he assumed the role of Supreme Leader. President Masoud Pezeshkian has provided conflicting accounts regarding his interactions with Khamenei, stating on July 21 that communications were "increasing day by day," but later, in early August, describing communication as "very difficult."

Speculation about Khamenei's well-being intensified following reports of him being seriously injured in a February 28 incident that claimed the life of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei. Some senior Iranian sources have suggested he sustained facial disfigurement. The judiciary's news outlet, Mizan, published the report about the promised footage, seemingly to quell these rumors.

In parallel, Iran announced that a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz is in its final stages. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated that the strait would only reopen once the United States meets unspecified conditions. He stated that while messages are being exchanged via intermediaries, direct talks between Iran and the U.S. are not occurring.

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once again bring disgrace upon the enemies and detractors of the Iranian people