Iran Holds Massive Funeral Procession for Slain Supreme Leader Khamenei
7 verified3 unconfirmed2 contested
Millions of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader killed in a February 28 airstrike along with several family members. A flatbed truck carrying five coffins crawled along a 10-kilometer route as crowds chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel” and called for revenge against U.S. President Donald Trump. The funeral events, which include stops in Qom and holy sites in Iraq, will conclude Thursday with burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Khamenei’s successor, his son Mojtaba Khamenei, has not appeared in public since the strike and is reportedly injured. The ceremony reflects the Iranian government’s effort to project strength after surviving months of war with the U.S. and Israel, though some citizens stayed away due to economic hardship and recent anti-government protests. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a lasting peace deal are on hold until after the burial.
What’s verified
The funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took place in Tehran on Monday, with a truck carrying his coffin and four family members’ coffins moving through large crowds.
Khamenei was killed in a February 28 airstrike that also killed family members including his 14-month-old granddaughter.
Crowds chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel” and called for revenge against President Donald Trump.
The final burial is scheduled for Thursday at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace.
The funeral events also include stops in Qom and Najaf and Karbala in Iraq.
Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since the airstrike and is reportedly injured.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are on hold until after Khamenei’s burial.
Where accounts differ
The size of the crowd: One source reported “millions” of mourners, while two other sources described “hundreds of thousands.” The reports agree it was a large gathering but differ on the specific number.
The severity of Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries: Two sources said he was severely injured with burns and leg wounds requiring multiple operations, while a senior Iranian official quoted in one source stated his injuries were “not very serious.”
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that an effigy of President Trump was hanged during the procession, while another source described signs with crosshair targets on Trump’s face but did not mention an effigy.
One source reported that Iran’s government expected 400 social media influencers to attend the funeral.
None of the sources specify the exact number of fatalities from the crackdown on January’s anti-government protests.
Key figures
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (slain supreme leader of Iran)
Mojtaba Khamenei (son and successor, reportedly injured)
President Donald Trump (U.S. president)
Zahra Golpayegani (Khamenei’s 14-month-old granddaughter, killed in airstrike)
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (Iranian parliament speaker, IRGC former commander, lead negotiator with U.S.)
President Masoud Pezeshkian (Iranian president)
Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli prime minister)
Sources: BBC News, NBC News, csmonitor.com
