30 Million Mourners Flood Tehran as Iran Buries Slain Supreme Leader in Massive Show of Defiance
Up to 30 million people are expected to attend the six-day funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on the first day of the war [188980][189672].
Huge crowds packed the streets of Tehran on Monday as the coffin of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was put on public display, marking the start of a multi-day funeral procession that officials are calling the largest gathering in the capital’s history [190680][187669][188736]. Mourners, many of whom traveled for hours, waved flags, beat their chests, and chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” as the casket passed by [188980][190353]. State television showed waves of people struggling to approach the coffin, with security forces working to maintain order amid the massive turnout [190353][188621].
The funeral is being staged as a carefully orchestrated political spectacle, designed to project strength and unity both at home and abroad at a time of deep uncertainty for Iran, which is exhausted by the ongoing war [189814][190663][187669]. Officials expect between 15 and 30 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days [188668][188980]. The ceremonies will span five cities across two countries, including neighboring Iraq [189420].
Dignitaries from more than 100 nations are arriving to pay their respects, and security forces have locked down major cities to prevent any unrest during the high-profile gatherings [188621]. Among those attending is Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, along with the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly [190220].
Iranian state television broadcast footage of Khamenei’s three sons—Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud—praying at the funeral [190053]. Notably absent was Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the designated successor, drawing attention both inside and outside the country [190053]. The leader’s death raises questions about succession and the future of Iran’s theocratic leadership [190353].
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a direct warning to Iranian officials, stating that any leader who “attempts to advance plans to destroy Israel will be thwarted” [190403]. Katz explicitly claimed that Khamenei “was eliminated by Israel because he initiated and led the plan to destroy Israel” [190403].