Hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets of Iran’s capital on Saturday for a state funeral honoring about 60 Iranians killed in Israeli strikes over the past few weeks, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Why It Matters
In what President Donald Trump has called the “12 Day War,” in mid-June Israel initially struck Tehran and several other cities in “Operation Rising Lion,” a campaign it said was meant to preempt a planned Iranian attack and disrupt Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Iran, which has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, retaliated, though Israeli defense systems—bolstered by U.S. military technology—intercepted nearly all incoming missile fire, according to Israeli officials, although Iran did strike a hospital southern Israel last week. More than 600 Iranians were reported killed by Israeli strikes, and 28 Israelis killed by Iranian strikes, with thousands wounded it both countries.
Last weekend, the U.S. joined Israel in its war against Iran by bombing three nuclear sites, Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, in the largest B-2 operation in U.S. history. There were no reported casualties.
Israeli strikes killed civilians, nuclear scientists, and high-level military officials, such as Hossein Salami who served as the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC’s Air Force.
What To Know
On Saturday, thousands of mourners dressed in black flooded the streets of Tehran in a state funeral procession for about 60 of those killed in the strikes, with IRGC-affiliated outlet Tasnim News Agency describing them as “martyred.” Caskets of the dead were covered in Iranian flags.
The outlet reported the procession, in which participants were seen carrying flags and banners, commenced near the University of Tehran in Enghelab (Revolution) Square and ended at the Azadi (Freedom) Square.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian marched in the procession and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was seen giving his prayers, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not spotted.
Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency shared photos of various models of Iran’s ballistic missiles showcased during the funeral procession. Pictures also showed Israeli and American flags being walked over and some burned, while the Associated Press reported that some people chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Salami, who was honored on Saturday, had leveled a threat to the United States in May, saying Iran would “open the gates of hell” if attacked by Israel or America. He was a defiant voice against Israel and had praised Hezbollah’s operations in its war against the country in 2024. Bagheri had warned for years that his forces were ready for military action against the country.
Others commemorated included women, children and nuclear physicists involved in Iran’s nuclear energy and enrichment activities.
The state funeral comes days after a fragile ceasefire was agreed upon between Israel and Iran.
What People Are Saying
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in a Persian in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Saturday: “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you dear people; With love, you bid farewell to the martyrs of our homeland, and our voice of unity reached the ears of the world. We have learned from Husayn ibn Ali (peace be upon him) not to submit to humiliation and not to bow our heads before oppression. Serving such a noble nation is the honor of my life. Forever Iran “
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in Persian on X on Saturday: “The Iranian nation should know that the reason for the opposition to America is that they want Iran to surrender, and this is a great insult to the Iranian nation by the Americans, and such a thing will never happen.”
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the U.S. would “absolutely” consider bombing Iran against if it is found enriching uranium to “concerning” levels.
What Happens Next
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which went into effect on June 24, remains fragile. Trump said the U.S. and Iran are due to hold new talks about the country’s nuclear capabilities.
“We’re going to talk to them next week, with Iran,” Trump said at the NATO summit in the Netherlands on Wednesday. “We may sign an agreement. I don’t know.”
On Saturday, Araghchi posted on X, “If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers.”
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