Iran holds funeral for commanders, scientists killed in war with Israel
This handout picture provided by the Iranian foreign ministry shows Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mourning next to the coffin of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami, who was killed during Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, during a state funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June.
Photo:
AFP / HO / IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY
Large crowds of mourners dressed in black lined streets in Iran's capital Tehran as the country held a funeral for top military commanders, nuclear scientists and some of the civilians killed during this month's aerial war with Israel.
At least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders were among those mourned at the funeral, according to state media, including armed forces chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace Force chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Photo:
AFP / ATTA KENARE
Their coffins were driven into Tehran's Azadi Square adorned with their photos and national flags, as crowds waved flags and some reached out to touch the caskets and throw rose petals onto them.
State-run Press TV showed an image of ballistic missiles on display.
Mass prayers were later held in the square.
Women mourners holding posters of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami sit on the edge of the pavement watching the funeral of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander and other military commanders killed in Israeli strikes on Iran, during their funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June.
Photo:
AFP / ATTA KENARE
State TV said the funeral, dubbed the "procession of the Martyrs of Power", was held for a total of 60 people killed in the war, including four women and four children.
In attendance were President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, who was seriously wounded during the conflict and is an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as Khamenei's son Mojtaba.
Mourners stand next to the coffin of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami (front), and other military commanders killed during Israeli strikes on the first day of the war, during their funeral procession at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in the capital Tehran on 28 June.
Photo:
AFP / ATTA KENARE
"Today, Iranians, through heroic resistance against two regimes armed with nuclear weapons, protected their honour and dignity, and look to the future prouder, more dignified, and more resolute than ever," Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who also attended the funeral, said in a Telegram post.
There was no immediate statement from Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the conflict began. In past funerals, he led prayers over the coffins of senior commanders ahead of public ceremonies broadcast on state television.
Israel launched the air war on 13 June, attacking Iranian nuclear facilities and killing top military commanders as well as civilians in the worst blow to the Islamic Republic since the 1980s war with Iraq.
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Reuters
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