Tehran Mourns: A Grand Farewell to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
A Solemn Procession in Tehran
Tehran: On Monday, Iran commenced a significant procession in its capital to honor the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The flag-covered coffins of Khamenei and his family members, who tragically lost their lives in an airstrike on February 28, were placed on a truck. The vehicle was adorned to mimic the decorative grating found at the shrine of an imam.
As the truck moved slowly through the sea of mourners dressed in black, many reached out to touch the grating. Some attendees tossed scarves and other items towards the coffin, a gesture viewed as a blessing in Iranian culture. To provide relief from the summer heat, attendants sprayed misted water over the crowd.
Officials expressed concerns about crowd safety during the procession, using loudspeakers to advise the public to maintain a slow pace, avoid pushing, and stay close to the street's edges.
The coffins are set to traverse the streets of Tehran en route to Mehrabad International Airport, a journey expected to last around 12 hours, as stated by Revolutionary Guard General Hasan Hasanzadeh, who is in charge of the event.
Iran's ruling theocracy anticipates a massive turnout for the ceremony throughout the city, aiming to demonstrate public support for the government. Already, hundreds of thousands have gathered in Tehran's squares, waving flags and banners in tribute to Khamenei.
In preparation for the mourning period, which began on Saturday and will conclude on Thursday with Khamenei's burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, authorities have closed streets, restricted airspace, and disrupted daily life.
Meanwhile, the United States continues its negotiations with Iran, focusing on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, addressing its contentious nuclear program, and seeking a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict. However, discussions seem to be paused until after the burial.
As the funeral progresses, there have been rising calls for vengeance among mourners, with some demanding the deaths of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Such sentiments were evident along the procession route, including an effigy of Trump being displayed.
U.S. federal authorities have been monitoring Iranian threats against Trump and other officials for years, particularly following Trump's 2020 order to eliminate General Qassem Soleimani, the former leader of the elite Quds Force. While Iran has consistently denied any plans to assassinate Trump, hardline propaganda has long suggested he is a target.
Trump has previously vowed to obliterate Iran's civilization during the conflict, among other threats.
A mourner named Fatima Hassan expressed her sentiments, stating, "Today, as we gather for our leader's funeral, it is a very difficult day. We are not here to bid farewell; we are here for revenge."