In a powerful display of national mourning, tens of thousands gathered in Tehran on Saturday to honor top Iranian commanders and officials killed in recent Israeli airstrikes — a conflict that has left deep wounds across the region.
The funeral procession began in Enghelab Square, where black-clad mourners flooded the streets, waving Iranian flags and holding portraits of their slain heroes. The ceremony continued toward Azadi Square, a route deeply symbolic in Iran’s political history.
Laid in coffins draped with the national flag were some of the most influential figures in Iran’s military establishment: General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Major General Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC; and Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, who led the IRGC’s Aerospace Force. State TV showed the solemn procession as citizens stood shoulder to shoulder, many in tears.
Iranian media reported that the victims also included nuclear scientists and emergency medical responders. Children, women, and even infants were among the 610 people confirmed dead, according to Iran’s Ministry of Health. Another 4,746 were injured in the conflict, which began with Israeli airstrikes on June 13 targeting key Iranian facilities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed the fallen as “martyrs in the nation’s defence,” vowing their deaths would not be in vain. Iran’s leadership has promised a strong and calculated response, fueling speculation about the next phase of a conflict that shows no signs of slowing.
The war has not only taken a toll on military personnel but also devastated infrastructure — with hospitals, ambulances, and medical teams among the many affected.
As Tehran buries its dead, the nation stands at a crossroads: grieving, but preparing for what may come next.