Iran began a multi-day funeral ceremony for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an early airstrike during the recent Iran war. The massive public mourning took place in Tehran, where vast crowds congregated to pay respects while demanding retaliation against Israel and the United States.
The ceremony highlighted the intense national grief as mourners gathered around a glass-encased, flag-draped coffin bearing Khamenei’s remains, alongside caskets of family members who also died in the strike. Attendees beat their chests rhythmically, a traditional Shiite gesture of mourning, while banners and billboards displayed Khamenei’s image across the city.
The funeral carried symbolic weight for Iran’s theocratic leadership. Khamenei’s death marks only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that a supreme leader has passed away. His son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, emerged as the new supreme leader during this period, potentially consolidating power amid the ongoing conflict.
An outdoor stage at the Grand Mosalla mosque recreated the setting of Khamenei’s past sermons, featuring a microphone, chair, and an image of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran’s first Supreme Leader. Security measures were tight, with metal detectors, body searches for men and women seated separately, and armed police patrolling nearby streets. Volunteers sprayed cooling water over crowds enduring the summer heat.
The funeral procession occurred amid stalled peace talks and a tense geopolitical backdrop, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s top negotiator issued warnings to France and the United Kingdom regarding their suggestions of joint patrols in this vital waterway, which channels a significant portion of the world's oil and gas supply.
Massive crowds chanted calls for revenge, reflecting the regime’s intent to frame Khamenei’s death as a rallying point for national unity and defiance. One mourner described the late leader as “our heart, our father, our everything,” underscoring the emotional weight the funeral carried among supporters.