Huge crowds gathered in Tehran on Sunday for the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, with millions participating in a week-long mourning period. The funeral services were marked by widespread calls for retribution against the U.S. and death threats directed at President Donald Trump.
Thousands of Iranians took to the streets, some engaging in activities that created a festive atmosphere with music and refreshments, while others observed solemn rituals. Volunteers distributed juice and water amidst scorching temperatures as the nation mourned Khamenei and four family members killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28.
The ceremonies took place at Tehran's Grand Mosalla complex, led by prominent Shia cleric Ja'far Sobhani. Mourners clad in black waved flags and beat their chests in grief, with chants of 'revenge, revenge' resonating through the area. A poet, Mohammad Rasouli, led calls of 'Death to America!' and 'Death to Israel!', specifically referencing the U.S. president.
Khamenei, who led the Islamic republic from 1989 until his death at age 86, was killed in an airstrike at the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran earlier this year. His coffin, draped in the Iranian flag and topped with his black turban, was placed alongside the coffins of four relatives who also died in the February strikes, including an infant granddaughter.
Three of Khamenei's sons—Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud—attended the services. His son Mojtaba, who was named his successor, has not been seen publicly since and is rumored to have been wounded in the attack that killed his father.
Authorities anticipated over 10 million participants in the Tehran ceremonies. Following a procession through the capital on Monday, Khamenei's body will be moved to the holy city of Qom on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the coffin will travel to a Shia site in neighboring Iraq before burial on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior officials, and representatives from groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were in attendance. Pezeshkian stated that the people's emotions and presence demonstrated Khamenei's standing among the Iranian nation and the world, accusing Israel of being a destabilizing factor in the Middle East.
Security measures have been heightened in Tehran, with warnings issued about the risk of crowd crushes. Organizers have implemented measures to cope with a heatwave, including misting stations to cool attendees.