TEHRAN – Iran held a large state funeral in Tehran on Saturday to honour senior military commanders and nuclear scientists killed in recent Israeli airstrikes. The ceremony began in Enghelab Square and is proceeding towards the iconic Azadi Square, with thousands of mourners lining the streets.
Among those being laid to rest are some of Iran’s highest-ranking officials, including Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, and IRGC Aerospace Chief Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh. Iranian flags and portraits of the fallen were carried by emotional crowds dressed in black.
Coffins draped in the national flag bore the names and ranks of those killed, while Iranian state television aired footage of the solemn event. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the deceased as “martyrs of the nation’s defence” and vowed that Iran would respond firmly to the deadly strikes.
The 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13 and has already claimed hundreds of lives on both sides. Israel launched massive airstrikes using over 200 jets, targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. In total, Iran reported 610 deaths and over 4,700 injuries, including civilians and children.
In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli targets, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. The attacks caused 28 deaths and over 3,200 injuries, despite a 90% interception rate. The United States entered the conflict on June 22, striking Iran’s nuclear sites, leading to further escalation.
A US-brokered ceasefire was announced on June 24 after Iran fired missiles at a major US airbase in Qatar. Although the ceasefire holds, tensions remain high, and both Iran and Israel have warned that further attacks could restart the fighting. Millions of Iranians have fled major cities, fearing more violence.