Iran unveils first video of Khamenei’s destroyed residence

TEHRAN: Iranian state media has released the first footage showing the extensive damage to the Tehran residence and compound of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering the public its first official look at the site following the deadly US-Israeli strike earlier this year.

The 35-second video, released on the day of Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad, shows the devastated Imam Khomeini Hussainiya, a hall inside the compound that was regularly used for official meetings, religious gatherings and public addresses.

The footage reveals collapsed structures, twisted steel beams, shattered walls and piles of rubble scattered across the once-prominent building, highlighting the scale of destruction caused by the attack.

According to Iranian authorities, Khamenei, 86, was killed in a joint US-Israeli military strike on February 28. International media reports said several members of his family also died in the attack, while his son, Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, who later assumed Iran’s top leadership role, was reportedly injured.

The release of the video coincides with the final stage of Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies, which conclude with his burial in Mashhad after a week of nationwide mourning.

Over the past several days, millions of mourners reportedly participated in funeral processions and memorial gatherings held in Tehran, Qom, Najaf and Karbala, making it one of the largest public farewell ceremonies in Iran’s recent history.

The Imam Khomeini Hussainiya featured in the footage had long served as one of the country’s most significant political and religious venues, hosting speeches by the Supreme Leader and meetings with senior officials, scholars and foreign dignitaries.

The release of the images comes as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate.

The United States has announced fresh military operations inside Iran, saying the strikes are aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following recent attacks on maritime traffic.

Iran, meanwhile, has claimed responsibility for retaliatory strikes targeting US military positions in Bahrain and Kuwait, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.

The latest developments have further weakened hopes for a lasting ceasefire and diplomatic breakthrough, with analysts warning that renewed military exchanges could deepen instability across the Gulf and have significant implications for global energy markets and regional security.