Iran holds state funeral for top military commanders killed in war with Israel

Iran on Saturday held a state funeral for around 60 people, including top military commanders, who were killed during the recent war with Israel.
The ceremony began early Saturday morning at Enghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran, where thousands of mourners dressed in black gathered, waving Iranian flags and holding portraits of the deceased.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with senior officials and military leaders, including Esmail Qaani, commander of the elite Quds Force, attended the funeral procession.
Among those present was Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who appeared using a walking cane after being wounded during the conflict.
State TV broadcast images of the somber gathering, with coffins draped in Iranian flags and adorned with photos of fallen commanders on display.
The event also featured mock-ups of Iranian ballistic missiles.
A large banner reading “Boom Boom Tel Aviv” was displayed at the march, referring to Iranian missiles fired at Israel during the 12-day conflict that began on June 13.
Among those being laid to rest are Mohammad Bagheri, a major general and second-in-command of Iran’s armed forces, along with his wife and daughter, both of whom were killed in an Israeli strike.
Nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, who also died in the attacks, will be buried alongside his wife.
The Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossein Salami, killed on the first day of the war, will also be buried following the ceremony, which honours at least 30 other senior military officials.
The death toll among those being mourned also includes four women and four children.
The funeral comes amid renewed verbal clashes between Tehran and Washington.