MIDDLE-EAST: Top Iranian Official Appears On State TV Amid Death Rumors, As Protests Rock Israel

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

A top Iranian official believed to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike has resurfaced on state television, adding a new twist to days of speculation surrounding his fate.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, appeared in a televised interview on Saturday. This comes two weeks after reports by Israeli and Iranian media claimed he was killed in a June 13 Israeli strike.

Iranian state outlets later walked back the death reports, claiming Shamkhani had survived the attack but was severely injured. They released no images at the time.

But on Saturday, Iranian state TV aired what it said was Shamkhani’s first public interview since the airstrike. Footage also showed him attending a funeral for victims of the 12-day conflict with Israel.

In the interview, Shamkhani was seen with a walking stick and breathing aid. He described being trapped under rubble for three hours after an Israeli strike hit his home.

“I did my morning prayer while under the rubble,” he said.

He also revealed he suffered internal injuries and fractured ribs. “I know why they targeted me, but I cannot say,” Shamkhani added.

Iranian media showed images of a destroyed building they claimed was his residence. CNN says it cannot verify the identity of the man in the video or when the footage was recorded.

Meanwhile, in Israel, anger over the Gaza war and the government’s handling of the conflict continues to grow.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. They called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages.

Some held signs pleading with US President Donald Trump to intervene. One banner read, “President Trump, end the crisis in Gaza! Nobel is waiting!”

Trump recently helped avert a major Israeli attack on Iran by urging restraint after a missile launch targeted northern Israel. Israel struck a radar station instead of launching a broader assault.

Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was killed on October 7, urged the Israeli Prime Minister to make a deal.

“Bring the 50 hostages home already. Now is the time to go for it and not have political considerations,” she said.

Protests were also held in Haifa, Ness Ziona, and Alonim Junction. Demonstrators held signs, waved flags, and accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of prolonging war for political survival.

“The war must end, the hostages must return, the government must fall,” read a sign in Haifa.

Arab Israeli lawmaker Ayman Odeh, who is facing impeachment, joined the protests and called for peace and unity.

“We must end the war on Gaza. Enough! Enough with the wars!” he told the crowd in Kfar Saba.

He concluded his speech with a message of hope. “Better days will come. We will bring them.”