Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The large-scale public gatherings occurred under extreme heat, with the government deploying water cannons to cool attendees.
Mourners, many dressed in black, gathered closely around a trailer carrying Khamenei's casket, which was draped with the flag of Iran, as it made its slow way through the streets. The carefully orchestrated ceremony aimed to showcase the strength of the Islamic Republic.
However, the ongoing war in the region shifted the tone of the proceedings. Many attendees chanted slogans such as "death to America" and waved red flags symbolizing revenge. Signs expressing anti-U.S. and anti-Israel sentiments, including messages targeting former President Trump, were also visible.
Anti-American sentiment has surged even as the U.S. and Iran have been engaged in peace talks, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding last month. These negotiations are considered fragile, with airstrikes continuing throughout the region, including actions in the Strait of Hormuz and exchanges between Israel and Lebanon.