Islamabad, June 29, 2025: In a powerful show of national unity, thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Saturday for a state funeral honoring over 60 individuals killed during recent Israeli and US strikes. The large-scale ceremony, held in Enqelab Square, was marked by anti-Israel and anti-US chants, as mourners carried banners reading “Death to America” and “Boom Boom Tel Aviv.”
The funeral procession moved towards Azadi Square, drawing participation from senior officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Quds Force Commander Esmail Qa’ani.
Among the prominent figures laid to rest were Major General Mohammad Bagheri, second-in-command of Iran’s armed forces, and nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Both were killed in targeted strikes along with their family members. IRGC Chief Major General Hossein Salami, killed on the first day of the attacks, received full military honors.
Iranian authorities allege that the 12-day campaign by Israel and the US claimed over 600 lives, most of them civilians. The strikes reportedly hit multiple locations across Iran, though the claims remain unverified by independent sources. Neither Israel nor the US has issued official comments on the allegations.
The timing of the funeral — the second day of Muharram — added religious significance. Drawing parallels to Imam Hussein’s martyrdom, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the funeral as “a symbol of Iran’s resilience in the face of aggression.” He emphasized that the ceremony was not just a farewell but a message of national unity and resistance.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated, “This is a clear message to the world — the Iranian people are turning threats into strength.”
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