Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, appeared in public for the first time since the onset of the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, participating in a somber Ashoura-eve observance.
Khamenei’s conspicuous silence and absence during the recent hostilities had fueled speculation about heightened protective measures. Iranian state television aired footage of him entering a mosque near his official residence and office in Tehran, where a crowd of supporters rose and chanted as he acknowledged them with waves and nods.
No immediate official remarks were reported from Khamenei at the event, although other senior Iranian officials, including the speaker of Parliament, were in attendance. Events of this nature are typically surrounded by significant security measures.
Sources indicate that throughout the conflict, the 86-year-old Khamenei had remained in a secure underground location due to elevated threats to his life.
During the war, after the United States escalated tensions by bombing three major nuclear facilities inside Iran, President Donald Trump issued pointed messages on social media. Addressing Khamenei, he said the U.S. was aware of the Supreme Leader’s whereabouts but had no intention of targeting him “at least for now.”
A few days after a ceasefire took effect on June 26, Khamenei broke his silence in a prerecorded message. In it, he declared that Iran had struck a blow to Washington by targeting a U.S. airbase in Qatar, and cautioned both America and Israel against further military action.
Trump, responding both in person and online, stated, “Look, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to h—.”
The ceremony Khamenei attended today commemorated the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, a seminal moment for Shiite Muslims.
Shiites, comprising more than 10% of the global Muslim population, honor Hussein as the rightful heir to the Prophet. His killing at the hands of Sunnis in the 7th century Battle of Karbala remains a defining moment in Shiite history and identity.
In Iran, where Shiism is the dominant faith, the ceremony featured red flags symbolizing Hussein’s spilled blood, and black tents and garments representing national mourning. Emotional displays included rhythmic chest-beating and self-flagellation by male participants. To ease the heat, some volunteers sprayed water on the crowd of mourners.
{Matzav.com}
