In Tehran, Iran commenced a funeral lasting several days for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He passed away following an airstrike that occurred at the beginning of the war. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was 86 years old.
The authorities displayed Khamenei’s casket in a glass case at the capital’s Grand Mosalla. Mourners gathered, shedding tears and chanting, “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!” The scene included banners, flags, and billboards displaying Khamenei’s image. Many participants engaged in rhythmic chest-beating, a tradition in Shiite funerals.
“I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei,” expressed Hananeh Mousavi, a 27-year-old mourner attending with her mother. “I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy.” Coffins were prominently displayed at the venue.
An outdoor stage inspired by Khamenei’s previous speech location in downtown Tehran featured prominently. The original site was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike that killed both Khamenei and members of his family on February 28 at the start of the Iran war. Family members’ coffins rested under his, topped with his black turban, symbolizing his descent from the Prophet Muhammad.
The Iranian government anticipates millions of mourners to fill the capital’s streets, reminiscent of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s burial in 1989. Organizers provided hydration and refreshments to attendees enduring the summer heat.
Ali Kazemi, traveling from Tabriz, 530 kilometers from Tehran, stated, “We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion.” A significant turnout may bolster Iran’s government, particularly as it navigates negotiations with the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over possible Israeli attacks.
The funeral commenced on July 4, coinciding with the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. Authorities did not comment on the timing; however, the crowd chanted “Death to America,” reflecting sentiments stemming from the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at Mount Rushmore, remarked, “We knocked the hell out of Iran. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral.” In Tehran, mourners held banners like “#KillTrump.” Khamenei’s body will travel to various locations in Iran and Iraq, leading to closures and restrictions in Tehran.
Uncertainty lingers over whether Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, will attend his father’s funeral. The late leader wept visibly at Khomeini’s funeral in 1989, marking the start of his long tenure leading Iran. Mojtaba Khamenei recently lost his spouse, whose coffin was also present at Grand Mosalla.
Israel’s threats toward Mojtaba Khamenei prompted a cautionary statement from Iran’s joint military command, urging restraint from both Israel and the U.S.