Hundreds of Western influencers, including a British-Pakistani media personality and an American commentator, attended the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The regime invited approximately 400 non-Iranian influencers and social media activists with a history of supporting the government and criticizing Western nations to cover the multi-day event.
Among those present was Bushra Shaikh, a former contestant on the BBC's The Apprentice. Shaikh, who has become a vocal supporter of the Iranian government, shared videos from the event in Tehran's Enghelab Square, expressing her honor in reporting on the funeral and stating, "Long live the Islamic Republic." Her attendance and public statements have previously drawn scrutiny in the UK, with reports of her being referred to counter-terror police for alleged breaches of the Terrorism Act and National Security Act.
Also seen at the funeral was American commentator Jackson Hinkle. Hinkle shared a video on social media of himself leading an anti-US and anti-Israel chant with a crowd of mourners. He captioned one post, "Iran has never been more united," and his content appeared to focus on highlighting the scale of the crowds and support for the Iranian government.
Another British media activist, Sakina Dattoo, also attended the funeral and posted videos from the event on Instagram. According to Iran Wire, the Iranian regime has a history of utilizing foreign voices aligned with its ideology to legitimize its political stances.
The funeral procession for Khamenei and family members who died in an airstrike began with mourners flooding into Tehran. State television showed large crowds stretching for miles, with some participants carrying signs calling for the death of the US President. The massive turnout was presented by the theocracy as a demonstration of strength amid ongoing negotiations with the US regarding a permanent end to the war.
The coffins were transported through the streets of Tehran in a procession estimated to be larger than the one for General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, which drew over a million people. Authorities urged attendees to maintain order due to the heat and the large crowd size. After the 12-hour journey through the capital, Khamenei's casket was flown to Qom for further ceremonies.