TEHRAN, Iran. Thousands of mourners dressed in black filled the streets of Tehran on Saturday as Iran held a state funeral for senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during its recent war with Israel.
According to state media, at least 16 scientists and 10 top commanders were among the 60 individuals honored in the procession, which included four women and four children. Among the dead were high-ranking officials such as Armed Forces Chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards Commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace Force Chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Coffins adorned with Iranian flags and photographs of the deceased were paraded through Tehran’s Azadi Square, as emotional crowds waved flags, threw rose petals, and reached out to touch the caskets. Ballistic missiles were also displayed nearby in a show of defiance.
Mass prayers were held in the square, led by top clerics and military officials. President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser Ali Shamkhani—who was wounded during the conflict—and Khamenei’s son Mojtaba were in attendance.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi praised Iran’s “heroic resistance” in a Telegram post, stating, “Today, Iranians, through heroic resistance against two regimes armed with nuclear weapons, protected their honour and dignity, and look to the future prouder, more dignified, and more resolute than ever.”
The funeral, referred to as the “procession of the Martyrs of Power,” came after a deadly exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel. The war began on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, killing several top officials. Iran responded with missile barrages targeting Israeli cities and military sites. The United States joined the conflict on June 22, launching its own strikes on Iranian nuclear targets.
According to Iran’s health ministry, 610 people were killed and more than 4,700 were injured before a ceasefire took effect on Tuesday. Activist outlet HRANA reported higher casualties, claiming 974 deaths, including 387 civilians. Israel’s health ministry reported 28 deaths and over 3,200 injuries on its side.
Bagheri was buried Saturday at Behesht Zahra cemetery outside Tehran. Salami and Hajizadeh are scheduled to be buried on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he would consider launching further strikes against Iran, while Ayatollah Khamenei warned that any new attack would be met with retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
Israel, believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the region, has said its strikes aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, and the U.N. nuclear watchdog has reported “no credible indication” of an active weapons program in the country.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
