Millions March in Tehran for Khamenei Funeral Amid Calls for Revenge

Iran has commenced a massive funeral procession for its recently assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with millions gathering in Tehran's Revolution Square. The funeral, which began on Saturday and will continue until Thursday, involves a 12-hour procession transporting Khamenei's flag-draped coffin and those of his family members killed on February 28 through Tehran to Mehrabad Airport. Streets and airspace have been closed to accommodate the event, which will conclude with Khamenei's burial in his birthplace, Mashhad.

Participants have carried Iranian flags and red banners symbolizing vengeance, chanting slogans demanding justice and retaliation. The crowd has also called for the deaths of U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reflecting longstanding tensions following the 2020 U.S. killing of General Qassem Soleimani. Iranian authorities have repeatedly denied assassination plots against Trump despite public calls for his death.

High-ranking Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raisi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani, attended the funeral. Khamenei's sons were present and visibly emotional, while the newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since his appointment. The funeral ceremony featured speeches condemning Trump, with chants of support from the crowd.

Iran declared public holidays to enable widespread participation in mourning events, with authorities estimating 15 to 20 million attendees. Meanwhile, despite U.S. promises to halt repression, Iranian authorities have intensified crackdowns on dissenters since the war began on February 28, arresting approximately 6,000 people and increasing death sentences amid accusations of collaboration with the U.S. and Israel, according to Amnesty International and reports in The New York Times.