As Iran prepares to mark the somber occasion of Ashura, a pivotal moment in Shia Islam, the country is bracing for a potentially volatile mix of emotions. The annual commemoration, which honors the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, is taking place just one day after the passing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for over three decades. The event is expected to draw massive crowds to the streets of Tehran, with many gathering to pay their respects to the late leader and reflect on the country's uncertain future. With the leadership vacuum left by Khamenei's death, the Ashura celebrations may take on a heightened sense of significance, as Iranians navigate the complex web of power struggles and potential succession battles.
Thousands gathered in Tehran on the eve of Ashura, the first since the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
