Hundreds of mourners gathered in Iran to mourn the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and called for “revenge” following his death in an airstrike. The funeral, held on the same day as the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in America, drew emotional crowds in Tehran who chanted anti-American slogans.
Despite the coincidence of the funeral date with the American celebration, the authorities did not address the timing. The ceremony saw a surge of emotions as attendees mourned Khamenei, a long-standing ruler of Iran, who was killed in an airstrike during the initial stages of a conflict.
The funeral, which also marked the ascension of the new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, potentially serves as a unifying event for the nation. The gathering took place amidst ongoing negotiations between Washington DC and Tehran, with concerns looming over possible disruptions by Israel.
Mourning attendees expressed deep sorrow as they laid eyes on Khamenei’s coffin and those of his family members who perished in the same attack. The scene was filled with banners, flags, and images of Khamenei, evoking strong emotions among the crowd who mourned by beating their chests in a traditional Shiite funeral practice.
One mourner, Masoumeh Mohammadi, shared her grief, stating, “Imam Khamenei was our heart, our father, our everything.” The event featured a stage reminiscent of Khamenei’s past public appearances, mirroring the setup at his compound in downtown Tehran.
The funeral procession, akin to the chaos witnessed during Khomeini’s funeral in the past, unfolded smoothly as millions paid their respects and accompanied the caskets to the cemetery. Khamenei’s casket, distinguished by the black turban symbolizing his lineage to the Prophet Muhammad, was prominently displayed above those of his deceased family members.
Among the mourners was Ali Kazemi, who traveled a considerable distance to attend, emphasizing the commitment to defend their country and religion. The atmosphere was charged with anti-American sentiment, as some in the crowd displayed a flag bearing the message “#KillTrump.”
As the ceremony proceeded, Iran’s chief negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi criticized a recent joint statement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding military readiness in the Strait of Hormuz.
