We witnessed a massive outpouring of grief and defiance in Tehran as the funeral for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei unfolded. On the morning of the 5th, a prayer ceremony was held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque for the late leader and his family members who perished with him. Huge crowds packed the square outside the mosque, waving flags and banners, not just to mourn their former leader but to show solid support for the Iranian government. Local media described this as a “farewell of the entire nation,” heavily highlighting the chants of “Down with America, Down with Israel” from the crowd. Analysts say this funeral was a powerful message: Iran remains united and committed to its path of resistance.
On the 5th, a huge crowd of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral prayer ceremony for Khamenei and his family. (Photo: Visual China)
People held up photos of Khamenei and Iranian flags during the ceremony.
From the 4th to the 5th, a public farewell to Khamenei’s body was held in central Tehran. People from all over the capital and other parts of Iran kept streaming in, clutching his pictures and the national flag, united in mourning. Many were in tears, and the air was thick with shouts of “Death to America, Death to Israel.”
Security was tight to make sure the funeral went smoothly. Roads near the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque were closed, and checkpoints were set up in several places. Heading towards the area, you could see tons of police, security forces, medical staff, firefighters, and volunteers. Local volunteer stations lined the streets, offering free water, tea, food, and medical help to the mourners. Many people who had traveled from far away were resting in these stations with their blankets, and tents were even set up in city parks for people to take a break.
The main crowds were concentrated in the city center. Based on our observations, other parts of Tehran were relatively quiet, with folks going to work and carrying on with their daily lives as usual. Some chose to stay home due to traffic jams in certain areas. The head of the traffic department of Iran’s National Police said that vehicles entering Tehran had increased by nearly 40% since July 4th.
Deep Mourning and a Call for Unity
On the morning of the 5th, the funeral prayer ceremony for Khamenei and his family was held in the main prayer hall of the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque. Traditionally, this ceremony is supposed to be led by the Supreme Leader. For example, the funeral prayers for former President Raisi and IRGC Quds Force commander Soleimani were led by the then-Supreme Leader, Khamenei himself. But at this ceremony for Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, did not show up.
Iran’s mainstream media gave heavy coverage to Khamenei’s funeral, describing the massive scene, expressing deep condolences for the late leader, and calling for unity. For instance, the Islamic Republic News Agency called it a “farewell of the entire nation,” and state TV broadcast the funeral live 24/7. The media also reported that religious representatives and people from Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Afghanistan came to attend the funeral.
On the afternoon of July 4th, Iranian President Pezeshkian posted on social media, saying, “The Iranian nation, with a will full of sorrow and hope, will prove that the flag the late Supreme Leader fought so hard to raise will never fall.”
The governor of Hormozgan province, Ashouri Taziani, stated, “Our province experienced the Minaab school attack in a previous war. In an imposed war, the death of innocent students and teachers made our people feel the meaning of sacrifice and resistance more than ever. The people of Hormozgan actively participated in the farewell ceremony for the Supreme Leader and related memorial events, showing Iran’s unity and cohesion in the face of war’s pain.”
A Strong Atmosphere of ‘Revenge’
The vibe at Khamenei’s funeral was intensely anti-US, anti-Israel, and pro-resistance. Iranian media ran rolling coverage of people shouting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. Al Jazeera reported that “We Must Rise” was the official slogan of the ceremony, accompanied by a picture of Khamenei’s clenched fist. According to the Associated Press, a performer recited a highly emotional poem attacking US President Trump at the ceremony. CNN, citing interviews from Iranian state media, reported that one Iranian politician said the “main slogan” shouted by the mourners was a “demand for blood for blood.”
In a special feature, the Islamic Republic News Agency analyzed that in Iran’s modern history, few periods have seen such dramatic political, economic, and security changes as the era led by Khamenei. Iran’s leadership has had to make a series of strategic choices under unprecedented challenges. Saying goodbye to this Supreme Leader is not just about parting with a familiar political figure; it also means saying goodbye to an era and facing a new period full of unknowns and changes.
