July 6, 2026, 3:27 p.mJuly 6, 2026, 3:27 p.m
According to government figures, several million people in Iran followed the funeral procession for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The state agency Irna spoke on Monday of millions of participants, but did not give an exact number.
Numerous mourners in Tehran.Image: keystone
In the city center, the coffin of the head of state, who was killed at the end of February, was moved along the main traffic axis from the east to the west of the city in temperatures well over 30 degrees, accompanied by crowds of people. Many participants in the procession chanted “Revenge, revenge,” as well as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Some supporters held up posters depicting US President Donald Trump as a target.
Khamenei was killed on February 28 by an Israeli airstrike on his official residence in Iran’s capital. The USA and Israel then waged war against Iran for more than five weeks until representatives from Washington and Tehran agreed on a ceasefire in early April.
Funeral service also planned in neighboring Iraq
Numerous Khamenei supporters from the region, such as Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, also took part in the procession. Funeral ceremonies are also planned in Karbala and Najaf, Iraq, on Wednesday before the former religious leader is to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday.
Khamenei ruled Iran with a hard hand. Public criticism of him was not tolerated. During recent protests, demonstrators chanted “Death to the dictator.” A large part of Iran’s approximately 86 million inhabitants is likely to be indifferent or hostile to national mourning. (dab/sda/dpa)