Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public on 5 July for the first time in about 22 days, joining an Ashura mourning ceremony at the Hosseiniyeh Imam Khomeini compound in Tehran. His prolonged absence followed Israeli air-strikes and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, and had sparked speculation about his health and authority. During the gathering, prominent regime eulogist Mahmoud Karimi sang a revised version of the well-known patriotic anthem “Ey Iran” at Khamenei’s personal request, a moment circulated by state media. As Karimi left the podium, the leader praised the rendition and asked for another nationalist piece, underscoring efforts to blend religious ritual with expressions of Iranian nationalism. The performance drew swift criticism from the family of the anthem’s lyricist, the late Toraj Negahban, who called the use of their father’s work before Khamenei “the height of hypocrisy.” Cultural commentators noted that the Islamic Republic, long accused of sidelining pre-revolution cultural symbols, is now invoking nationalist themes in the wake of its brief war with Israel. Analysts see Khamenei’s re-emergence—and the carefully choreographed patriotic overtones—as an attempt to project stability and rally domestic support after weeks of uncertainty. The move comes as Tehran confronts economic pressure, debates over its nuclear programme and questions about the Supreme Leader’s succession.