Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei took part in a Muharram mourning ceremony at his compound in Tehran on Saturday, appearing before a select audience for the first time since Israeli attacks began on June 13, photos and videos released by his office show.
His attendance breaks weeks of absence, during which he issued only prerecorded video messages amid reports he had been moved to a bunker for security reasons.
“The Hussainiyah exploded (with emotion) when the Supreme Leader arrived… The waves of this explosion will reach Tel Aviv and the White House — a powerful surge of devotion, love, and longing from the people for their leader,” said a member of Khamenei’s office when describing his first public appearance since the start of the war with Israel.
Iranian eulogist Mahmoud Karimi sang the patriotic song "Iran, Iran" upon Ali Khamenei's request, he said at the beginning of performing it at the Saturday ceremony.
Critics say the Islamic Republic selectively invokes patriotic and nationalist sentiments during times of war and crisis to rally support, while otherwise suppressing such expressions in favor of promoting loyalty to the broader Islamic ummah.
