Tehran: Iran’s capital witnessed massive funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday, with hundreds of thousands of mourners gathering at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex amid chants calling for revenge against the United States and Israel. The event was marked by slogans including “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and calls to kill U.S. President Donald Trump.
The week-long state funeral, delayed by more than four months due to the Middle East war, is being held for Khamenei and four members of his family who were killed on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli conflict on February 28.
Calls for Revenge Dominate Ceremony
Thousands of mourners camped overnight or arrived before dawn to attend funeral prayers. Carrying Iranian national flags, red banners symbolising revenge, and portraits of the late leader, the crowd repeatedly demanded retaliation against the United States and Israel.
Poet Mohammad Rasouli, who addressed the gathering before the prayers, declared that avenging Khamenei’s death was a responsibility and called for Trump’s assassination, drawing loud applause from the crowd. Several posters and graffiti displayed at the venue also carried messages targeting Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Among the mourners, 29-year-old grocery store worker Gholamreza Sabooni said Iran should avenge the killing of its leader by targeting Trump.
Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Khalil Shirgholami, also posted on X, saying that while people could be killed, their ideals could not, adding that Khamenei’s influence would continue despite his death.
National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said the public was sending two clear messages: resistance against Iran’s enemies and revenge for the blood of its slain leader.
Iran’s Leadership Shows Unity
The funeral brought together Iran’s senior political and military leadership, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, Revolutionary Guard chief General Ahmad Vahidi, and several members of the Khamenei family.
However, the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not appear publicly. Reports suggest he remains in hiding after allegedly being injured in the airstrike that killed his father and amid continuing Israeli threats.
Week-Long Funeral Processions
The funeral prayers were led by 97-year-old Shiite cleric Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani. Several members of Khamenei’s family, including his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel and his 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani, were also honoured during the ceremony. The infant’s small coffin became one of the most emotional moments of the event.
Authorities will transport Khamenei’s coffin through the streets of Tehran before taking it to several cities in Iran and neighbouring Iraq. The week-long mourning period will conclude on Thursday with his burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace.
Regional Tensions Remain High
The funeral comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high despite a ceasefire. Tehran continues to press its demands regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz, while disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues persist.
According to a multinational maritime body overseen by the U.S. Navy, 70 vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz were assisted over the past 72 hours. While shipping traffic remains below pre-war levels, authorities said the threat level in the region continues to be “substantial,” with mine-clearing and maritime security operations still underway.