Quick Read
- Hundreds of thousands attended the funeral of top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists in Tehran on June 28, 2025.
- The funeral marked the first public ceremonies since a 12-day war with Israel ended on June 24, 2025.
- Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear program, killing over 30 commanders and 11 scientists, according to reports.
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remained absent from the funeral but released a pre-recorded warning to Israel and the U.S.
- The funeral procession saw chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” as tensions persist.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to pay their respects to top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists killed during a 12-day war with Israel. The funeral procession, marked by chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” was a stark reminder of the escalating tensions between Iran and its adversaries.
A Nation in Mourning
The caskets of General Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, leader of the Guard’s ballistic missile program, were carried on trucks along Tehran’s Azadi Street. State media reported over 1 million attendees, though this figure could not be independently verified. The dense crowd stretched along the 4.5-kilometer route, underscoring the emotional weight of the event.
Key Figures Lost
Among the 60 individuals honored were four women and four children, as well as prominent figures like nuclear scientist Fereydoon Abbasi and military chief of staff General Mohammad Bagheri. Bagheri, killed on the first day of the war, was to be buried beside his brother, a Guards commander who died during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. Fox2now reported that many others would be laid to rest in their hometowns.
Supreme Leader’s Absence
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was notably absent from the funeral. His last public appearance was on June 11, two days before the conflict began. However, he released a pre-recorded video on Thursday, June 26, warning the U.S. and Israel of Iran’s resolve. “This victory of perseverance belongs to the great Iranian nation,” he declared, downplaying the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Israel’s Campaign
Israel’s offensive, launched on June 13, targeted Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure. Over 12 days, Israel claimed to have killed around 30 commanders and 11 scientists, while striking eight nuclear facilities and over 720 military sites. Iran retaliated with more than 550 ballistic missiles, 28 of which caused casualties in Israel, according to Thenewregion.
Human Cost
The conflict resulted in significant casualties. The Iranian health ministry reported at least 610 deaths and over 4,700 injuries. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated over 1,000 fatalities, including 417 civilians. The funeral also honored Ali Ghanaatkar, a top prosecutor at Evin prison, whose prosecution of dissidents had drawn international criticism.
Defiant Mood
The mood in Tehran was one of defiance. “This is not a ceasefire, this is just a pause,” said Ahmad Mousapoor, a 43-year-old mourner waving an Iranian flag. Many echoed his sentiment, vowing retaliation against Israel. The funeral procession ended at Tehran’s Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, where many of the fallen were laid to rest.
As the coffins were lowered into the ground, the chants of “Death to Israel” echoed across Tehran, a city still reeling from loss but resolute in its defiance.