By Anietie anii-bassey
Iran entered another day of national mourning on Monday as tens of thousands of people gathered in the capital, Tehran, to take part in the funeral procession for the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The solemn ceremony unfolded under heavy security as the country paid tribute to its longtime leader, whose death in an airstrike marked one of the most significant moments in the Islamic Republic’s history.
The funeral procession, stretching across major roads in Tehran, drew vast crowds of mourners dressed predominantly in black. Many carried Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and banners praising his leadership, while chants honoring the late supreme leader echoed through the streets.
Khamenei’s flag-draped coffin, accompanied by the coffins of several members of his family who were also killed in the Feb. 28 airstrike that marked the beginning of the war involving Israel and the United States, was transported atop a specially decorated truck. The vehicle had been designed to resemble the ornate metal grating that surrounds the shrine of a revered imam, symbolizing religious devotion and respect.
As the procession slowly advanced through Tehran, mourners reached toward the truck in an effort to touch the decorative structure surrounding the coffin.
Others tossed scarves, prayer cloths and personal belongings toward attendants traveling alongside the vehicle, asking them to briefly touch the items against the coffin before returning them. The practice is widely observed by many Shiite Muslims who regard such gestures as a source of blessing and spiritual comfort.
With temperatures rising during the summer heat, attendants repeatedly sprayed fine mist over the crowds to provide relief as thousands remained packed along the funeral route for hours.
Officials said the procession would continue for approximately 12 hours before reaching Mehrabad International Airport. Revolutionary Guard General Hasan Hasanzadeh, who is overseeing the funeral arrangements, said the lengthy route had been carefully organized to allow as many Iranians as possible the opportunity to pay their respects.
The funeral ceremonies, which began on Saturday, are expected to continue until Thursday. Khamenei will ultimately be laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace and one of the holiest sites in Shiite Islam.
Iranian authorities have organized the funeral on an extraordinary scale, shutting down major roads, restricting airspace and suspending many aspects of daily life in Tehran to accommodate the nationwide mourning. Government officials hope the massive turnout will demonstrate continued public support for the country’s leadership during one of the most difficult periods in its recent history.
Throughout the city, large public squares were filled with mourners waving flags and displaying banners honoring Khamenei’s decades-long leadership. State media has extensively covered the ceremonies, portraying them as a symbol of national unity in the aftermath of the devastating conflict.
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At the same time, diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region remain uncertain. The United States continues to pursue negotiations with Iran focused on permanently ending the conflict, reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and reaching a broader agreement over Iran’s disputed nuclear program.
However, officials familiar with the negotiations have indicated that discussions are effectively paused until the funeral ceremonies conclude.
Despite those diplomatic efforts, emotions among mourners have increasingly shifted toward calls for retaliation.
Many participants carried signs demanding revenge for Khamenei’s death. Along the funeral route on Monday, banners condemned both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while some demonstrators displayed effigies and posters calling for retribution.
The anti-American rhetoric reflects years of hostility between Tehran and Washington, which intensified after President Trump authorized the 2020 strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force. Since then, U.S. authorities have repeatedly warned about alleged Iranian threats targeting Trump and former American officials.
Iran has consistently denied accusations that it has plotted to assassinate Trump, although hardline political rhetoric and state-affiliated propaganda have frequently depicted the former U.S. president as an enemy of the Islamic Republic.
Relations deteriorated even further during the recent conflict, with both governments exchanging increasingly hostile statements. During the war, Trump issued strong warnings against Tehran, including threats to destroy Iran’s civilization if the conflict escalated further.
For many attending Monday’s funeral, however, the focus was not solely on mourning but also on expressing anger over the circumstances surrounding Khamenei’s death.
“Today that we are here for the funeral for our leader, it’s a very tough day,” mourner Fatima Hassan said while standing among the crowds in Tehran. “We are not here to say goodbye to him, we are here for revenge. And we will take revenge.”
As Iran continues several days of official mourning, the funeral has become more than a farewell to the country’s highest-ranking political and religious figure. It has evolved into a powerful display of national grief, political symbolism and defiance, unfolding at a time when the Middle East remains on edge and the future of regional diplomacy hangs in the balance.
Original article
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