WANA (Jul 06) –  Amid escalating tensions and explicit threats from Israel, the public appearance of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the Eve of Ashura ceremony (the most significant mourning ritual for Shia Muslims), held openly and at a known location, became a symbolic and headline-making event globally.

 

This appearance was not merely a religious ritual but a clear political-security message that challenged the strategies devised by Tel Aviv and its allies. This brief analysis examines five key aspects and consequences of this appearance.

 

1. The World’s Top News Amid Peak Threats

The Ashura eve ceremony attended by the Supreme Leader took place while Israeli officials had issued unprecedented personal threats against him in the days prior.

 

This coincidence made the images and news of his presence quickly rise to the top of international headlines. Regional and global media interpreted it as a sign of Iran’s confidence and a clear message of rejecting the threats.

 

2. Failure of the “Lebanonization” Strategy for Iranian Leaders

One of Israel’s goals during this phase of tensions was to exert psychological pressure to force Iran’s political and military leaders into a “hidden lifestyle,” following the Hezbollah model in Lebanon.

 

The Supreme Leader’s public presence at a large, crowded, and open event challenged this strategy. Observers saw Tehran’s message as clear: enemy threats will not alter the leadership style or drive decision-makers into hiding.

 

3. A Document of Victory in the “12-Day War”

The public and open appearance of the Supreme Leader at the Ashura ceremony is interpreted as a “document of decisive victory” in the recent confrontation between Iran and Israel.

 

Following the rare exchange of fire between Iran and Israel in June 2025 and direct threats, holding this ceremony in Tehran at a known location was a message that the recent short but tense war had ended with a strategic defeat for Israel.

Iran’s Leader Makes First Public Appearance Since Iran-Israel War. Social media/ WANA News Agency

4. Reflection of Joy and National Solidarity

Images and news of this presence sparked enthusiastic and positive reactions among various political and social groups in Iran. On social media and in domestic media, there was talk of “national unity,” “power,” and “victory in the psychological war.” These reactions showed that external threats can, instead of creating division, pave the way for internal solidarity.

 

5. Neutralizing the Strategy of Fear

From the perspective of analysts, the most important function of this appearance was to neutralize the enemy’s main project—namely, maintaining a “shadow of fear” over Iranian society. Through repeated threats, Israel sought to raise the psychological cost of confrontation for Iranian public opinion.

 

However, the Iranian leader’s presence at a large, public religious ceremony conveyed a message of normalcy, confidence, and security, thereby weakening this psychological strategy.

 

The presence of Iran’s Supreme Leader at the Ashura night ceremony cannot be considered merely an ordinary religious ritual.

 

This event turned into a symbol of reverse psychological warfare against Israel: a direct response to personal threats, a rejection of the “hidden life” model, and a display of authority in front of both domestic and international public opinion.

 

With this move, Tehran sought to reclaim the initiative in the media and psychological battle and to reassure its society that no threat would disrupt the “normalcy of political life.”