Tehran, June 29:
Iran held a large-scale state funeral ceremony on Saturday for nearly 60 individuals, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strikes during the recent 12-day conflict. The solemn procession in central Tehran drew thousands of mourners, many dressed in black, waving national flags, and holding portraits of the deceased.
Among those honoured were General Hossein Salami, chief of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of its ballistic missile program, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a prominent nuclear scientist. Their coffins, draped in Iranian flags, were paraded down Azadi Street, accompanied by chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.
According to Iranian officials, this is the first major public funeral since the ceasefire, and it included four women and four children among the dead. Government offices were temporarily closed to allow state employees to attend the mourning ceremonies.
Context: 12-Day Iran-Israel Conflict
The war between Iran and Israel, which began on June 13, reportedly ended with a ceasefire last Tuesday. Both sides claimed victory, though Israeli airstrikes, backed by the United States, targeted and destroyed multiple nuclear and military installations in Iran, with Iran responding by launching over 550 ballistic missiles.
-
Israeli figures: 28 dead
-
Iranian official figures: 627 civilians killed
-
US involvement: Strikes on three nuclear sites
War of Words: Trump vs. Khamenei
In a fresh escalation, former US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejecting Iran’s claim of victory and even insinuating knowledge of Khamenei’s location during the strikes. Trump added that the US had saved Israel and now “would save Netanyahu,” while also suggesting he considered lifting sanctions before Khamenei’s comments deterred him.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded, urging Trump to “put aside the disrespectful tone,” reiterating Khamenei’s status as Iran’s top political, military, and religious authority.
Nuclear Talks Denied
Trump also claimed that nuclear negotiations with Iran might resume shortly. However, Iranian officials swiftly denied any plans to restart talks on its nuclear program, despite assertions from Washington. Iran maintains its position that the US strikes were exaggerated and have not significantly impacted its nuclear capabilities.
Significance of the Ceremony
The funeral, broadcast widely on state television, served not only as a mourning ritual but as a message of defiance and resilience, aimed at both domestic and international audiences. Though Khamenei was not seen at the ceremony, analysts suggest he may have participated in private rituals, consistent with past funerals.
The ceremony underscores the deepening geopolitical rift and signals that Iran’s leadership remains resolute, even as the country grapples with the human and strategic toll of its most significant direct confrontation with Israel to date.
