Iran Releases Footage of Destruction at Site of Ali Khamenei Attack Amid Funeral Procession

Iranian state television aired footage on Wednesday showing the damage at the complex where former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was targeted in an Israeli strike on February 28, marking the start of Operation Roaring Lion. Khamenei's coffin arrived in Iraq on Tuesday as part of a multi-day funeral procession attended by millions of Iranian citizens. The funeral featured calls for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump, with one speaker declaring, "Why not kill the man who killed my Imam? Assassinating Trump is our duty; we will never abandon your revenge."

Delegations from Hamas and Yemen's Houthi movement participated in the funeral, which also saw the public appearance of Khamenei's three sons for the first time since his death. However, current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was absent from the public events. According to a report by Channel 13, Mojtaba is now the key decision-maker in Iran, operating from hiding and effectively fulfilling the Supreme Leader role. Sources indicated he recently decided on Iran's willingness to accept a ceasefire. It is believed Mojtaba has avoided public appearances due to plastic surgeries altering his appearance. Security officials reportedly blocked his attendance at the funeral over fears of an Israeli assassination attempt or exposure of his location.

The funeral ceremony took place at the Grand Mosalla named after Khomeini, with top Iranian officials including President Ebrahim Raisi, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Revolutionary Guards Commander Ahmad Vahidi in attendance. Numerous foreign delegations came from Armenia, Pakistan, Russia, China, Central Asian states, Qatar, Iraq, and Georgia, alongside representatives of Hezbollah, Palestinian groups, and the Taliban.

Ali Khamenei had led Iran since 1989. The Israeli strike that killed him also claimed the lives of Chief of Staff Abd al-Rahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and about 40 senior regime figures. Witnesses at the site expressed shock, with 27-year-old Hananeh Mousavi saying, "I never expected to see such a day." Ali Kazemi, who traveled 530 kilometers from Tabriz, said his participation was to demonstrate commitment to defending the country and religion. "I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei," he added.