Sunday, June 29, 2025 - Thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Tehran for the funeral of the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and other top commanders and nuclear scientists killed during the recent 12-day war with Israel.
The coffins of Gen. Hossein Salami, the Guard’s chief, Gen.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who headed the ballistic missile program, and others were
carried on trucks along Azadi Street as crowds chanted, “Death to America” and
“Death to Israel.
Salami and Hajizadeh were killed on the first day of the
conflict when Israel launched strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear
capabilities by specifically targeting commanders, scientists, and key
facilities.
There was no immediate sign of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei at the funeral. State TV showed no images of him, although in past
ceremonies, he has offered prayers over caskets in more private settings before
the public processions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Gen. Esmail
Qaani—who leads the foreign operations wing, the Quds Force—and senior adviser
Gen. Ali Shamkhani were among those present. Shamkhani, still recovering from
injuries sustained in Israel’s opening attack, was shown leaning on a cane.
The Revolutionary Guard, created after Iran’s 1979 Islamic
Revolution, has evolved from a domestic security force into a regional power
player, backing Tehran’s allies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. It also oversees
Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, which was used to target Israel twice during
the Gaza conflict.
Over the course of the 12-day war, Israel claimed to have
killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while destroying
eight nuclear-related sites and more than 700 military targets. More than 1,000
people were killed overall, including at least 417 civilians, according to
Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group.
Iran retaliated by launching more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel. Most were intercepted, but some struck populated areas, killing 28 people and causing significant damage.
The funerals marked the first major public ceremonies since the ceasefire. Iranian media reported that the ceremonies were held for 60 victims in total, including four women and four children. Government offices were closed to allow public workers to attend.
Mourners carried portraits of Khamenei and the late Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, waved flags, and surrounded the trucks
carrying flag-draped coffins. Armed guards were seen stationed on rooftops
overlooking the massive procession.
Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is strictly for
peaceful purposes. Israel, however, considers it an existential threat, saying
its recent military campaign was necessary to stop Iran from building a nuclear
weapon.
Khamenei, who last appeared publicly before the war began,
later released a video message filled with threats toward the US and Israel. He
dismissed American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as largely ineffective,
while Iran’s foes insisted the damage was significant, particularly at the
Fordo facility, built deep into a mountain.
0 Comments