A state funeral is taking place in Iran for around 60 people, including military commanders and nuclear scientists, killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel. Coffins draped in the Iranian flag, bearing portraits of deceased commanders were flanked by large crowds near Enghelab Square in central Tehran. The conflict ended with a ceasefire earlier this week, after the US became directly involved by bombing key nuclear sites in Iran. Among those being laid to rest is Mohammad Bagheri, the highest-ranking military officer in Iran who was chief of staff of Iran's armed forces. Huge crowds of mourners dressed in black chanted slogans, waved Iranian flags and held portraits of those killed. Saturday's funeral will also include Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, as well as a number of nuclear scientists such as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, who was head of Azad University in Tehran. It comes after US President Donald Trump said he would"absolutely" consider bombing Iran again. Responding to a question from the BBC's Nomia Iqbal at a White House press briefing on Friday, he said he would "without question" attack the country if intelligence concluded Iran could enrich uranium to concerning levels. Trump has also repeated his assertions that Iran was "decimated", writing: "Why would the so-called 'Supreme Leader' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war-torn country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the war with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie." Trump also claimed to have known "exactly where he [Khamenei] was sheltered", saying he "would not let Israel, or the US Armed Forces... terminate his life". "I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death, and he does not have to say, 'thank-you, president Trump!'" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned Trump against making "disrespectful" comments about Khamenei, who claimed US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites had achieved "nothing significant". "If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei," Araghchi posted on X. "The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had no choice but to run to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults." Araghchi has admitted that"excessive and serious" damage was doneto Iran's nuclear sites by the recent bombings.
Iran holds state funeral for military leaders killed in Israel conflict
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"Iran Conducts State Funeral for Military Leaders and Scientists Killed in Conflict with Israel"
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TruthLens AI Summary
A state funeral was held in Iran for approximately 60 individuals, including key military leaders and nuclear scientists, who lost their lives during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. The ceremony took place in central Tehran, where large crowds gathered near Enghelab Square to pay their respects. The coffins, draped in the Iranian flag, were displayed alongside portraits of the deceased, reflecting the national mourning. Among those honored was Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces and the highest-ranking military officer in the country. The funeral also included prominent figures such as Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, and several nuclear scientists, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, the head of Azad University in Tehran. The conflict concluded with a ceasefire earlier this week, which followed direct U.S. involvement, including bombings targeting critical nuclear sites in Iran.
The funeral occurs amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump indicated that he would consider further military action against Iran if it was determined that the country could enrich uranium to dangerous levels. His comments included a critique of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which sparked a response from Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi cautioned Trump against making disrespectful remarks and emphasized that the Iranian people would not tolerate threats or insults. He acknowledged that the recent bombings had caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure but maintained that the strikes had not achieved their intended goals. This funeral, therefore, not only serves as a moment of mourning for those lost but also highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and the complex dynamics between Iran and the United States.
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