Tens of thousands join Khamenei’s funeral

Iran Mourns | Massive crowds fill Tehran streets as leaders hail national unity after the supreme leader’s assassination

State authorities and volunteers ensured a peaceful funeral, unlike the previous supreme leader’s funeral, which descended into chaos.

Tehran: Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei in one of the Iran’s largest public gatherings in recent years.

Dressed in black, mourners marched from Revolution Square to Azadi Square, carrying Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and banners reading “We will rise”. The procession followed a two-day funeral at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla mosque and was expected to last up to 12 hours. The gathering came months after nationwide anti-government protests, highlighting a dramatic shift in the public mood.  

The Tehran Metro was packed as people travelled to join the procession, chanting prayers and slogans honouring Khamenei. President Masoud Pezesh­kian said the turnout reflected genuine public grief and rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that the mourning was staged. He said the crowds demonstrated national unity and would prompt the West to reconsider its approach towards Iran.Authorities said the event was organised with the support of state agencies and volunteers, with no major incidents reported. More than 300 foreign journalists were granted visas to cover the funeral, an uncommon move by the Iranian government.

—Agencies

Irans hails India’s gesture

Iran has thanked India for participating in the state funeral of its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, describing the gesture as a “powerful expression of mutual respect” reflecting the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries. A high-level Indian delegation, comprising Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain and MoS for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, attended the funeral.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid, People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and religious leaders from several faiths also paid tribute. On X, the Iranian Embassy said Iran would never forget India’s “gesture of friendship, compassion and heartfelt respect”.