Media outlets in Iran published a photo of Mojtaba Khamenei and presented it as new, in an apparent attempt to counter growing rumors about his health and prolonged absence from public view. It was later discovered that the same image had already been published last April.
The photo was part of a series of materials circulated to demonstrate the Iranian leader’s continued presence. On August 8, a short video of him was released without any indication of when or where it had been filmed, leaving doubts over whether it was recent—especially since Mojtaba has not appeared publicly since assuming the position of Supreme Leader following the assassination of his father in March.
Earlier, on April 6 and 7, a video circulated claiming to show Khamenei inside a military operations room with an image of the Dimona nuclear facility in the background. Further verification found no trace of the video on official Iranian accounts and identified signs suggesting that it may have been AI-generated.
The Supreme Leader’s prolonged absence has become part of a parallel information battle alongside the military and political conflict. Old photographs, undated footage, and digital content are being used to reinforce the image of a leadership that remains present and in control—a propaganda effort aimed at domestic audiences and at boosting the morale of regime supporters amid recurring rumors about Khamenei’s fate and health.
