TEHRAN, Iran, July 6 – Thousands upon thousands of mourners poured into the streets of Tehran on Monday, as Iran held one of the largest funeral processions in its modern history for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Dressed predominantly in black, people gathered from across the country to pay their final respects to the man who led the Islamic Republic for more than three decades.
The funeral procession also became a powerful display of national emotion and political messaging. Along the route, many mourners chanted slogans condemning the US and Israel, while some openly called for revenge following Khamenei’s death in an airstrike during the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Iranian authorities organized extensive security measures and temporarily shut down major parts of the capital as millions were expected to participate in the ceremonies, which are scheduled to continue until Khamenei’s burial later this week.
Tehran Witnesses One of the Largest Funeral Gatherings in Recent History
The funeral procession began in Tehran with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s coffin draped in Iran’s national flag. Also carried during the ceremony were the coffins of several members of his family who lost their lives in the same Feb. 28 airstrike that marked the beginning of the regional conflict. The decorated vehicle transporting the coffins featured an elaborate design inspired by the ornamental structure surrounding one of Shiite Islam’s revered shrines, symbolizing religious respect and national mourning.
Aerial footage broadcast by Iranian state television showed vast crowds stretching for several kilometers from Tehran’s Azadi Square along Azadi Street. Although officials did not immediately release an official attendance figure, observers noted that the turnout appeared larger than the funeral procession held for Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in 2020, an event that attracted more than one million participants.
Many mourners attempted to move close to the funeral vehicle to touch it or throw scarves, prayer cloths, and personal belongings toward attendants. These items were briefly brushed against the coffins before being returned, a religious tradition practiced by many Shiite Muslims who believe such contact carries spiritual blessings.
Authorities deployed emergency workers throughout the procession route as temperatures climbed. Fire trucks sprayed fine water mist over the crowds to reduce the effects of the summer heat, while police and organizers repeatedly urged participants through loudspeakers to remain calm, avoid pushing, and keep to designated walking areas to prevent dangerous overcrowding.
The funeral convoy slowly made its way across Tehran before reaching Mehrabad International Airport. According to Iranian state television, Khamenei’s coffin was then transported by air to the holy city of Qom, where additional religious ceremonies are scheduled before his final burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, the city where he was born.
Iran has declared several days of official mourning, with many government offices and public activities suspended during the ceremonies.
Funeral Crowds Voice Anger as Anti Trump Chants Echo Across Tehran
The funeral became far more than a religious ceremony, evolving into a powerful expression of public grief and political defiance.
Throughout the procession, groups of mourners carried banners criticizing both the United States and Israel. Some signs specifically targeted U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while chants demanding revenge echoed through sections of the crowd. One symbolic display included an effigy representing President Trump suspended along part of the procession route.
A man holds a sign reading “#kill_trump” as mourners gather for funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A boy peeks from behind a sign depicting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overlaid with crosshairs and the words “There will be blood” during funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Many participants described Khamenei as a leader whose influence shaped several generations of Iranians.
Fatima Hassan, speaking during the funeral, said the gathering represented more than a farewell.
“Today that we are here for the funeral for our leader, it’s a very tough day. We are not here to say goodbye to him. We are here for revenge. And we will take revenge,” she said.
Another mourner, Maryam Alizadeh, struggled to contain her emotions while watching the procession pass.
“This is the last time I am seeing him. Our generation lived with him for decades,” she said.
Sahar Zaraatgar also expressed determination to continue what supporters describe as Khamenei’s political and ideological legacy.
“We are here to show that his path will continue, and every single one of these people will continue down his path with clenched fists, and soon we will certainly avenge his death against the U.S. and Israel,” she said.
The strong anti-American rhetoric heard throughout the funeral reflects years of tension between Tehran and Washington. U.S. officials have repeatedly stated that American law enforcement and intelligence agencies have monitored alleged threats from Iran directed at President Trump and former senior officials since the 2020 U.S. strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iranian officials have consistently denied accusations that Tehran has plotted attacks against President Trump, despite hard-line political messaging that has frequently portrayed him as a primary adversary of the Islamic Republic.
During the recent conflict, President Trump also issued several sharply worded statements warning Iran and threatening severe consequences if hostilities continued, adding another layer to the already strained relationship between the two countries.
Negotiations over the war remain on hold
While funeral ceremonies continue across Iran, significant political questions remain unanswered both inside the country and across the Middle East.
Negotiations between Tehran and Washington aimed at establishing a lasting settlement following the recent conflict remain temporarily suspended. Diplomatic discussions are expected to resume only after the mourning period concludes, although no official timetable has been announced.
Among the key issues facing negotiators are the future of Iran’s nuclear program, long-standing disagreements over regional security, freedom of navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, and the broader confrontation involving Israel and Iran-backed armed groups operating in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime routes for global energy supplies. During the conflict, Iran moved to restrict activity in the waterway, increasing international concern over oil shipments and regional stability. The United States has rejected Iranian demands for expanded control over the strategic passage, leaving one of the central disputes unresolved.
Attention has also focused on Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not publicly appeared during the ongoing funeral ceremonies. Iranian authorities have provided little information regarding his whereabouts. Multiple international media organizations have reported that he was injured during the airstrike that killed his father and has remained out of public view due to continuing security concerns. Those reports have not been independently confirmed by Iranian officials.
Security concerns remain exceptionally high following reports that Israel previously targeted senior Iranian military and political figures during the conflict by identifying their locations during public appearances. Analysts believe these security risks have influenced the limited public visibility of Iran’s new leadership during this sensitive transition period.
As Iran prepares for the final burial ceremonies later this week, the country enters a new political era marked by uncertainty, heightened regional tensions, and difficult diplomatic challenges. The funeral has demonstrated both the deep loyalty many Iranians continue to hold toward Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the profound divisions that continue to shape relations between Iran, the United States, and Israel following months of conflict.