Khamenei’s absence during the war suggested heavy security for the Iranian leader, who has final say on all state matters.

In Iran, state television broadcasted footage of him acknowledging the cheering crowd with waves and nods. The audience stood in unison upon his arrival at a mosque adjacent to his office and residence in the heart of Tehran.

Ceremony commemorates a death that caused rift in Islam

The ceremony that Khamenei hosted on Saturday was a remembrance of the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein.

Shiites make up more than 10% of the global Muslim population, which numbers 1.8 billion. They hold Hussein as the legitimate heir to the Prophet Muhammad. His demise in battle, at the hands of Sunnis in Karbala, located south of Baghdad, marked a significant schism in Islam and remains a crucial factor in forming Shiite identity.

In predominantly Shiite Iran, red flags represented Hussein’s blood and black funeral tents and clothes represented mourning.

Processions of chest-beating and self-flagellating men demonstrated fervor. Some sprayed water over the mourners in the intense heat.

Reports of problems accessing the internet

NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, reported late Saturday on X that there was a “major disruption to internet connectivity” in Iran.

It said the disruption corroborated widespread user reports of problems accessing the internet.

The development comes just weeks after authorities shut down telecoms during the war.