Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance on Saturday since the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. He attended a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashura, an important day in the Shiite Muslim calendar.
The ceremony remembered the martyrdom of Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in the 7th century. It took place at a mosque near Khamenei’s office and residence in Tehran. Several senior Iranian officials, including the Speaker of Parliament, also attended. The event was held under strict security.
Iranian state television showed Khamenei greeting and acknowledging the crowd. However, he did not make any public statements during the ceremony.
Khamenei’s absence during the conflict had raised questions about his security. Iranian authorities confirmed that the fighting caused more than 900 deaths and thousands of injuries. They also reported significant damage to nuclear facilities but have denied UN inspectors access to the sites.
Background to the conflict and Ashura’s significance
Ashura is a deeply important occasion for Shiite Muslims, who make up over 10 per cent of the world’s Muslim population. Hussein’s death at the Battle of Karbala, now in Iraq, remains a defining moment in Shiite history. It marks a split within Islam and shapes Shiite identity.
In Iran, red flags symbolise Hussein’s blood, while black clothes and tents show mourning. Large crowds took part in processions, where some men beat their chests and practiced self-flagellation to express their grief. Water was sprayed over the mourners to help with the heat.
The conflict began on 13 June when Israel struck Iranian targets. These included nuclear sites, defence systems, senior military officials, and scientists linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran responded by firing over 550 ballistic missiles at Israel. Most were intercepted, but some caused damage and killed 28 people.
