Millions Gather in Tehran for Funeral of Iran’s Late Supreme Leader

Millions of people filled the streets of Tehran this week for the funeral procession of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The massive crowds moved slowly across the capital, traveling from Imam Hossein Square in the east to Azadi Square in the west. This event marked the final day of a three-day mourning period in the city, following two days where the leader’s body lay in state at the Grand Mosalla mosque.

According to BBC News, the procession featured a black lorry carrying the coffins of Khamenei and four of his family members. These individuals were killed in an airstrike on February 28, an attack carried out by the United States and Israel. This strike occurred on the first day of the current war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and significant damage to the region. Many mourners at the procession carried Iranian flags and red banners, which are symbols of vengeance. Some people held signs calling for the death of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the joint attack.

While the government described the event as a display of national strength and unity, the atmosphere was also one of deep grief. The Guardian reports that mourners wore black and chanted slogans about the late leader. In one instance, people were seen throwing stones at a large billboard featuring the face of Donald Trump. Despite the large number of people, authorities managed the event carefully, and no deaths were reported during the march. To help people handle the high temperatures, officials sprayed misted water over the crowds throughout the 12-hour journey toward the airport.

One notable aspect of the funeral was the absence of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. He was appointed to succeed his father but has not appeared in public since the February airstrike. While some officials suggested his absence was due to safety concerns, others have reported that he was seriously wounded in the same attack that killed his father. In contrast, three of his brothers attended the funeral, marking a rare public appearance for the family. Other senior figures, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and the commander of the Quds Force, were seen walking among the crowds.

President Pezeshkian spoke to the public during the event, emphasizing that the presence of the people was a message to the world. According to The Guardian, he rejected claims from international critics that the public grief was forced. Instead, he described the gathering as a "covenant"—a serious promise—to continue the path of the Islamic Republic. He noted that the war had changed the region, but argued that it had also brought the Iranian people closer together.

This funeral comes at a difficult time for Iran. The country has been involved in a war for four months, and the conflict has caused major disruptions, including the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas transport. Deutsche Welle reports that negotiations between the US and Iran to end the war have been put on hold while the country focuses on these funeral ceremonies. These talks are expected to address several major issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, which the US claims is designed to build weapons—a charge that Iran continues to deny.

As the funeral events move toward their conclusion, the body of the late leader is scheduled to be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace. For many, this week has been a way to show loyalty to the system. However, the future of the country remains uncertain. With the new leader still in hiding and the war with the US and Israel continuing, the government faces significant pressure. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the late leader was killed because he threatened Israel’s existence, and warned that any future leader who attempts to destroy Israel would face the same fate. As the mourning period ends, the world is watching to see how Iran’s leadership will respond to these challenges and whether the current ceasefire-like pause in fighting will lead to a lasting peace.