Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday (July 5, 2025) made his first public appearance since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran started, attending a mourning ceremony on the eve of Ashoura.
The absence of Mr. Khamenei through the war had instructed heavy safety for the Iranian leader, who has remaining say on all state issues. State TV in Iran confirmed Mr. Khamenei waving and nodding to the chanting crowd as he entered and sat.
There was no fast report on any public assertion made.
Iran has acknowledged the deaths of greater than 900 individuals within the war, in addition to 1000’s of injured. It additionally has confirmed severe harm to its nuclear services, and has denied entry to the websites for inspectors with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
Mr. Khamenei hosted a remembrance of the seventh century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, at a mosque subsequent to his workplace and residence within the capital, Tehran. Iranian officers such because the Parliament speaker have been current, and such occasions are at all times held beneath heavy safety.
Shiites signify over 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims, and so they view Hussein because the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
Hussein’s demise in battle by the hands of Sunnis at Karbala, south of Baghdad, created a rift in Islam and continues to play a key function in shaping Shiite identification.
In predominantly Shiite Iran, crimson flags represented Hussein’s blood and black funeral tents and garments represented mourning.
Processions of chest-beating and self-flagellating males demonstrated fervour. Some sprayed water over the mourners within the intense warmth.
Israel relentlessly attacked Iran starting June 13, concentrating on its nuclear websites, protection methods, high-ranking navy officers and atomic scientists.
In retaliation, Iran fired greater than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which have been intercepted, however those who received by induced harm in lots of areas and killed 28 individuals.
