Latmiya: Inside the Ashura rituals shaping Iran’s wartime narrative

Latmiya: Inside the Ashura rituals shaping Iran’s wartime narrative In darkened halls across Iran , hundreds of men dressed in black beat their chests in unison as religious eulogists chant rhythmic laments of martyrdom, sacrifice and war. The performances, often lit in red and shared widely on YouTube and social media in Iran, have become a recurring feature of the country's wartime atmosphere since the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025. Known as latmiyah, these mourning recitations are rooted in Ashura rituals commemorating the martyrdom of Shia Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.