Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public for the first time since the ceasefire with Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public for the first time since the ceasefire with Israel came into effect last month, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.

He participated in a religious ceremony in the capital Tehran yesterday. Iranian state television showed the ayatollah greeting people at a mosque at a ceremony on the occasion of the major Shiite holiday of Ashura, honoring the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

The 86-year-old Iranian supreme leader was dressed in black. The faithful greeted him, chanting: "Blood in our veins for our leader!"

According to Iranian state television, the scene was filmed in central Tehran at the "Imam Khomeini" mosque, named after the founder of the Islamic Republic.

Ayatollah Khamenei last appeared on June 26, two days after the ceasefire came into effect, AFP recalls. Then he gave a pre-recorded video address.

According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Iranian supreme leader sought refuge deep underground during the 12-day exchange of blows between the two countries and this saved his life.

Iranian authorities have confirmed the death of 936 people during the war, which was launched by Israel, including senior military and nuclear scientists. Iranian retaliatory strikes killed 28 people in Israel, AFP notes.