Iran Holds Huge Public Funeral For Slain Military Commanders & Scientists

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Tehran for a funeral procession to honor military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed in Israeli strikes earlier this month. The ceremony featured Iranian flag-draped coffins, large displays of portraits of slain commanders, and mourners waving Iranian flags and holding photos of the deceased. Both Israel and Iran have claimed victory following 12 days of airstrikes and missile fire. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has disputed President Trump's claim that Iran's nuclear program was obliterated, although Iranian officials have acknowledged serious damage to key facilities. The funeral procession honored prominent figures, including General Hossein Salami and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who were killed on the first day of the surprise attack. Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Tehran for the state funeral service, which included the burial of around 60 Iranians, including four children and four women. Chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" were heard during the procession. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged the loss of lives as "hard and painful" but pledged that the nation would return to "new glory." Banners proclaiming "victory" for Iran were seen during the procession, and the event was referred to as the "funeral procession of the Martyrs of Power" by Iran's state-run Press TV.