• Source:JND
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made his first public appearance since the beginning of Iran's confrontation with Israel, ending weeks of absence that had generated speculation about his security and well-being. State television on Saturday aired live coverage of the 86-year-old leader participating in a mourning ritual at Imam Khomeini Mosque in central Tehran on the eve of Ashura, one of the most sacred days in the Shia Islamic calendar. Khamenei, who has been Iran's supreme leader since 1989, was also spotted wearing black, embracing throngs of pilgrims chanting slogans like "The blood in our veins for our leader!" The symbolic return follows Israel's surprise air raids on June 13 that turned into a 12-day conflict, killing over 900 Iranians and doing enormous damage to Iran's nuclear program.

State television footage showed Khamenei waving and nodding to thousands of mourners at the mosque adjacent to his residence and office. Iran’s Parliament speaker and other top officials were also present, with visible heavy security deployed throughout the premises.

Absence Amid War Sparks Speculation

Khamenei’s absence from public view during the height of the Iran-Israel conflict had raised questions about his safety and whether he had retreated to a secure bunker. Before the Israeli airstrikes, his last public appearance was a June 11 meeting with members of parliament. Since then, he had only released a pre-recorded video message on June 26, in which he said Tehran had attacked a US air base in Qatar as a response to the US bombing of three major Iranian nuclear facilities. In that remark, Khamenei threatened the US and Israel with further attacks, stating that Iran had given "a slap to America's face." US President Donald Trump responded by assuring that there were no current plans by the US to attack Khamenei personally but warned, "We know where you are."

The devastating war not only caused massive casualties but also gravely destroyed Iran's nuclear plants. Tehran then shut access to international inspectors and halted cooperation with the UN nuclear monitor, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), further fuelling fears about its uranium enrichment programme. With inspectors now withdrawn for security purposes, the world is growing increasingly anxious about Iran's next step.

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Ashura Appearance Sends Strong Message

The timing of the re-emergence of Khamenei carries profound religious and political implications. Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram Sunday, July 6 this year is considered the martyrdom day of Imam Hussein, a highly revered figure among Shia Muslims. Iran's leaders traditionally employ the time of mourning and crowds to rally unity and resistance during a crisis.

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It is uncertain if Tehran, following the bombings and its forceful expulsion of UN inspectors, will be inclined to engage in renewed negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme. Though the threat posed by Iran's stockpiles and potential clandestine enrichment still remains a global concern. While Iran celebrates Ashura with processions and ceremonies across the country, the symbolic public outing of Khamenei here indicates that even in the midst of the war and global pressure, the leadership of the country wants to mobilize domestic support and affirm its message of defiance.