Millions of Iranians have gathered in Tehran to bid a final farewell to their slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose assassination has sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East. The vast procession, which began at Revolution Square and made its way through the streets to Azadi Square, is a testament to the deep sense of national unity that has been forged in the aftermath of the conflict.
The sheer scale of public participation marks a significant shift for Iran, which just seven months ago was plagued by widespread street protests and government crackdowns. The turnout reflects a unified national response to what Iranian officials claim was a US-backed Israeli attack in February, aimed at destabilising and potentially toppling the government.
Khamenei's killing has been attributed to Israeli bombs, with Iranian officials framing it as an act of war. During Sunday's funeral prayers, chants of "Kill Trump" were reportedly heard on the stage, echoing a blend of personal grief and a desire for retribution among mourners. The procession itself was expected to last between 10 and 12 hours, drawing some of the largest crowds since limited numbers could access the Grand Masalla mosque for earlier ceremonies.
The entire Iranian leadership attended the morning prayers on Sunday, with the notable exception of the newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei's son. Officials stated his absence was due to security fears rather than injuries sustained in the attack that killed his father. Despite the immense crowds, state services and volunteer civic groups managed the event without any fatalities, a contrast to some previous large-scale state funerals.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist elected two years ago, praised the conduct of the mourners and expressed hope that the images would compel Western nations to reassess their approach to Iran. He dismissed claims by former US President Donald Trump that the tears shed at the funeral were disingenuous, stating, "This greatness, these tears that flow from the eyes of girls, men, and children, is not something that can be created by order." The Iranian president further asserted that the conflict had strengthened unity among Muslims and exposed what he called the lies of US and Israeli claims regarding freedom and human rights.
Over 300 foreign journalists were granted visas to cover the funeral, a rare move by Iranian authorities, underscoring the government's desire to project national cohesion. Pezeshkian emphasised that the gathering was not a farewell but a "covenant for continuing on the path," accusing the US and Israel of disrupting regional geography while inadvertently strengthening Muslim unity.