The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, participated in a solemn mourning ceremony on Saturday night marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the revered third Shia Imam and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The ceremony, held at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiya in downtown Tehran, coincided with the ninth night of Muharram, known as Tasua, on the eve of Ashura, the day of Imam Hussein's historic martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala.

The gathering was attended by large crowds of mourners, including high-ranking government officials and military commanders. As seen in video footage broadcast by Iranian media, the mourners gave Ayatollah Khamenei a warm and emotional reception, expressing loyalty to the Leader as he led the night of lamentation and reflection over the tragedy of Karbala.

Ayatollah Khamenei, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of all Iranian armed forces, has recently drawn global attention amid mounting tensions with the Zionist regime and its Western backers. The mourning ceremony took place against the backdrop of escalating threats from Tel Aviv and Washington, with credible reports pointing to direct threats against the life of the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader.

These threats have sparked widespread outrage across the Islamic world. Senior clerics and jurists, including Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and Grand Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani, have issued strong religious rulings (fatwas), declaring any plot against Ayatollah Khamenei as an attack on Islam itself. Their rulings declare those threatening the Leader as "enemies of God," whose punishment, according to Islamic law, is death at the hands of the Ummah.

The mourning ceremony follows a turbulent month in which Ayatollah Khamenei personally led the Iranian armed forces during a 12-day retaliatory war against the Zionist regime, launched after an unprecedented Israeli military assault on June 13. The war, described by Iranian officials as an “imposed conflict,” saw direct attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and critical civilian infrastructure. These strikes resulted in the martyrdom of several senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and hundreds of civilians. According to Iran’s judiciary, over 900 people were killed in the Israeli-led assault.

In a notable escalation, the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally, carried out its own strikes on June 22, targeting Iran’s sensitive nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. These acts of aggression prompted swift and devastating retaliation from Iran. A barrage of drones and ballistic missiles struck deep into occupied territories, crippling multiple Israeli military command centers and airbases. Iranian defense officials confirmed that the retaliatory campaign forced the Zionist regime to plead for a ceasefire.

On June 24, a ceasefire was reached between Iran and the Zionist regime, halting further escalation but leaving regional tensions high. During the conflict, Ayatollah Khamenei delivered three televised addresses, guiding and commanding the nation’s military response while invoking the spirit of resistance inspired by Imam Hussein’s legacy.

Observers note that Ayatollah Khamenei’s presence at the Ashura ceremony during such a sensitive time served as a symbolic affirmation of steadfastness and spiritual leadership, linking the resistance of Karbala with the Islamic Republic’s defiance in the face of Israeli aggression.

As the Islamic world commemorates the Day of Ashura, Iran’s leadership continues to emphasize that the path of resistance against tyranny—be it ancient or modern—remains the enduring message of Imam Hussein’s sacrifice. (ILKHA)