TEHRAN, IRAN, June 28 – Iran mourned the loss of high-ranking military officials, prominent nuclear scientists, and civilians who lost their lives during the recent deadly conflict with Israel. Streets were lined with black-clad mourners on Saturday, a reflection of the national grief and defiance that has gripped the Islamic Republic following the devastating airstrikes and military clashes that erupted earlier this month.
A Nation in Mourning
The public funeral procession, dubbed the “Procession of the Martyrs of Power,” honored 60 individuals who perished in the conflict, including top commanders, scientists, four women, and four children. Among the dead were some of Iran’s most influential military figures: Major General Mohammad Bagheri, commander of the Iranian armed forces; General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, chief of the IRGC’s Aerospace Division. All three were killed on the first day of the conflict, June 13, in what Iranian officials described as a targeted air assault on leadership and strategic infrastructure.
The funeral began with the arrival of coffins draped in Iranian flags and adorned with portraits of the fallen. The vehicles carrying the bodies moved slowly into Azadi Square, Tehran’s iconic public space, as mourners waved flags and reached out in anguish to touch the caskets. Rose petals were scattered by the crowd as symbols of honor, respect, and farewell. Alongside the mourners, a display of ballistic missiles served as a stark reminder of Iran’s military capability and defiance.
Later in the day, mass prayers were held in the square. The atmosphere was one of unity, with citizens, officials, and religious leaders standing together in solemn tribute to those they now consider national heroes.
Among those present at the funeral was President Masoud Pezeshkian, accompanied by Ali Shamkhani, a senior official who was gravely injured during the fighting and serves as an adviser to the Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was also present, further highlighting the political weight and significance of the occasion.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi shared a statement via Telegram, asserting that Iran had demonstrated resilience and dignity in the face of what he called an aggressive campaign by two nuclear-armed regimes. He remarked that the Iranian nation, standing firm against two nuclear-capable adversaries, has upheld its national pride and integrity, and now moves forward with greater confidence, unity, and resolve than ever before.
Although the Supreme Leader has not made a public appearance since the conflict began, he has issued two pre-recorded video messages. In the past, he has often led funeral prayers for fallen commanders himself, further fueling speculation regarding his current health and role in the evolving situation.
A War of Escalation
The confrontation started on June 13, as Israel carried out multiple aerial attacks aimed at Iran’s nuclear sites and key military locations. The initial attacks killed several high-ranking officials, including Bagheri, Salami, and Hajizadeh, marking the most significant loss of leadership for Iran since the war with Iraq in the 1980s. Israel claimed its actions were aimed at disrupting Tehran’s alleged nuclear ambitions.
In response, Iran fired a barrage of missiles targeting Israeli military bases, infrastructure, and urban centers. The retaliatory strikes escalated the conflict further, drawing in the United States on June 22. American forces struck multiple Iranian nuclear sites, prompting outrage from Iranian leaders who vowed to strike back if further aggression continued.
Despite mounting international concern, Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons. Iranian authorities have reiterated their stance that their nuclear program is solely for peaceful energy purposes. The country’s leadership condemned both Israel and the United States for what it called unlawful acts of aggression.
During a press briefing, a senior Israeli military official claimed that their campaign had dealt a “major blow” to Iran’s nuclear project. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard dismissed such claims in a statement, asserting that both Israel and the United States failed to achieve their strategic goals. The Guards emphasized that Iran’s defensive and scientific capabilities remained intact and would be restored rapidly.
The war left a heavy toll. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, 610 people were confirmed dead, while over 4,700 were wounded. However, figures from independent sources such as the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated fatalities to be much higher—approximately 974, including 387 civilians.
On the Israeli side, the toll was significantly lower, with 28 deaths reported and over 3,200 injured, according to Israel’s health ministry. The disparity in casualties underscores the intensity of the strikes on Iranian soil and the level of destruction experienced by the civilian population.
U.S. President Donald Trump added fuel to the fire during a press appearance on Friday by declaring that he would consider launching another strike on Iran. In a previous video message, Ayatollah Khamenei warned that any new U.S. attack would trigger retaliatory strikes on American military bases across the Middle East.