Tehran: Funeral prayers for Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were held in Tehran on Sunday, with mourners chanting slogans of “resistance” and “revenge” as the Islamic Republic continued to mark the death of the leader killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
According to Iran’s official news agency ISNA, the Secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said mourners at the ceremony raised slogans against the US and Israeli leadership, blaming them for Khamenei’s death.
“People are shouting two slogans in farewell to their leader: resistance against enemies and revenge for the blood of the martyred leader of Iran,” the council’s message said, as cited by ISNA.
It added: “Keep your eyes on Iran these past few days; this is the Iran you thought you could defeat in a few days,” describing the funeral proceedings as a display of national unity and resilience.
Public funeral prayers for Khamenei and four members of his family were held on the second day of farewell ceremonies in Tehran. Millions of mourners gathered near the Imam Khomeini Grand Musalla, where his body has been lying in state since Saturday for public mourning and official ceremonies.
Khamenei’s death earlier this year triggered a wider conflict in West Asia. Last month, the US and Iran agreed to a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities and opening a 60-day window for technical talks, including discussions on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader. According to Al Jazeera, Mojtaba Khamenei will skip the six days of funeral ceremonies for his father due to security concerns amid continued Israeli threats to assassinate him.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the people of Iran had united to pay tribute to the late leader.
“Today, the proud and invincible nation of Islamic Iran unanimously testified in favour of their martyred Mujahid Imam,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.
Authorities described the large turnout as a demonstration of solidarity and commitment to Iran’s leadership and ideals.