Hundreds of Thousands Attend Funeral of Iran's Late Supreme Leader Amid Mixed Reactions
Iran's capital saw massive crowds for the funeral of the deceased supreme leader, while senior officials attended and some notable figures, including former president Ahmadinejad, were present. The event highlighted divisions within Iranian society and the absence of the leader's son.
Tehran was filled with hundreds of thousands of mourners who gathered to view the casket of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader killed in the opening strikes of the U.S.-Israeli war in February. State television footage showed President Masoud Pezeshkian walking among the crowd and shaking hands with attendees.
Among the senior officials present were former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who according to U.S. officials had been injured in an Israeli strike earlier in the year. The late leader's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded him, was not seen at the ceremonies, drawing attention from observers.
The funeral has been used by Iran's leadership to project national unity, even as the country grapples with ongoing economic hardship and a paused peace negotiation process with the United States.
"Everyone wants to run away from this business, and these ridiculous ceremonies," said Iman, a 38-year-old architect who asked that her full name be withheld for safety.
Social media posts from wealthier Tehran residents showed empty streets and traffic heading north, suggesting that many affluent citizens left the capital during the event. Meanwhile, other Iranians posted images of lavish gatherings, underscoring the stark contrast between public mourning and private leisure.
Human-rights groups and Iranian officials have previously reported that security forces violently suppressed nationwide protests, killing thousands. The funeral therefore occurred against a backdrop of deep societal divisions and ongoing debate over the legacy of Khamenei's four-decade rule.