Iran Holds Mass Funeral for Commanders and Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes
By Wafric - Breaking News
WafricNews – June 28, 2025
Tehran, Iran – In a striking display of national mourning and defiance, thousands of Iranians gathered in the capital, Tehran, on Saturday to honour military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during the recent 12-day war with Israel.
The state funeral, broadcast live on national television, was held for around 60 individuals, including four women and four children, who died in Israeli and U.S.-backed airstrikes. Many of those being mourned were senior figures in Iran’s military and nuclear establishment, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), General Hossein Salami, and the head of its missile programme, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Draped in national flags and flanked by rows of portraits, coffins were paraded through Azadi Street, one of Tehran’s major arteries, as crowds chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.
“Death to America! Death to Israel!” echoed across the capital, with citizens waving Iranian flags and holding up images of the deceased.
War's Toll Reverberates Through Iranian Streets
This was Iran’s first state funeral for top commanders since the ceasefire agreement with Israel was brokered four days ago. The mass ceremony underscores the emotional weight of a conflict that, despite being brief, claimed hundreds of lives and further destabilized the region.
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, at least 627 civilians were killed in Israeli attacks. Among the dead were not only top IRGC officials but also Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a leading nuclear scientist, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, another senior military figure.
The war, which began on June 13, saw Israel and the United States conduct coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran responded by firing over 550 ballistic missiles into Israeli territory—most of which were intercepted, though some resulted in casualties and damage, according to Israeli authorities.
Fallout from a Leaked Phone Call and a Ceasefire with Frayed Edges
Both sides have since claimed victory, but the atmosphere remains volatile. The funeral procession came just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump launched a tirade on social media, blasting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for declaring the war a strategic win for Iran.
In a heated Truth Social post, Trump hinted that U.S. forces had considered targeting Khamenei directly and accused the Iranian leader of lying about the outcome of the war.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi fired back, calling Trump’s tone “disrespectful and unacceptable.”
“If President Trump is serious about pursuing any sort of deal with Iran, he must change his language and his posture,” Araghchi said on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite Trump’s claim that talks over Iran’s nuclear programme would resume next week, Tehran has denied any such plans. Officials say the recent attacks—especially those involving U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites—have made negotiations nearly impossible in the short term.
Iran’s Supreme Leader has not appeared in public since the ceasefire, though in past funerals he has presided over private prayer sessions for fallen commanders. His absence has not gone unnoticed, but analysts believe it is consistent with past protocol.
“In Shia political theology, Khamenei’s role is more than political—it’s spiritual,” noted WafricNews Middle East analyst Reza Moshiri. “Trump’s remarks were not just inflammatory—they were deeply offensive to millions.”
A Long History of Rivalry
Tensions between Iran and Israel—backed by the United States—have simmered for years, fueled by rival claims over regional influence and fears over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This latest round of violence was one of the most intense since the two countries began engaging in shadow wars across the Middle East.
Israel’s stated aim during the 12-day conflict was to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities and eliminate high-ranking military threats. Tehran, however, claims its nuclear programme remains intact and insists that it maintained strategic deterrence through its missile response.
Ceasefire or Calm Before the Storm?
While guns have gone silent for now, both sides remain on high alert. Saturday’s funeral may have marked the end of official mourning, but it also served as a political statement—a signal that Iran sees its fallen not as victims, but as martyrs in a long and ongoing struggle.
The truce may hold for now, but with no diplomatic talks on the horizon and deepening mistrust, the region remains at a dangerous crossroads.
For continuing coverage on Iran-Israel tensions, nuclear diplomacy, and Middle East security, stay with WafricNews.
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