Millions flood Tehran as Khamenei's funeral grips Iran

Tehran: Millions of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in one of the country's largest public displays of mourning in recent years. The massive turnout came months after anti-government protests had exposed deep internal unrest, with the funeral now being projected as a demonstration of national unity following Khamenei's assassination in an Israeli airstrike in February.

The procession stretched from Revolution Square to Azadi Square after two days of funeral ceremonies at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Mosque. Crowds dressed in black carried Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and banners expressing defiance, while the capital's metro network was packed with mourners travelling to join the march. Funeral organisers expected the procession to last between 10 and 12 hours.

Iran's senior political and military leadership attended the funeral prayers, although the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was absent. Officials said security concerns, rather than injuries reportedly sustained in an earlier Israeli strike, kept him away. His three brothers attended the ceremony.

Authorities deployed extensive logistical support through state agencies and volunteer groups to accommodate the crowds, with officials reporting that the event concluded without major incidents.

President Masoud Pezeshkian described the turnout as evidence of national solidarity and rejected suggestions that public grief had been staged. He argued the funeral reflected genuine public sentiment and said the conflict had strengthened unity within Iran while increasing international attention on the country's position. He also accused Israel, backed by the United States and European countries, of escalating violence across the region.