Iran holds funeral for top military commanders and scientists killed by Israel
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Iran holds state funeral for military commanders Kkilled in Israel conflict
Iran held a state funeral on Saturday for around 60 individuals, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists. The conflict ended with a ceasefire earlier this week after the US became directly involved by bombing key nuclear sites.
Coffins draped in the Iranian flag, bearing portraits of deceased commanders, were flanked by crowds near Tehran’s Enghelab Square, News.Az reports, citing BBC.
The conflict ended with a ceasefire earlier this week, after the US became directly involved by bombing key nuclear sites in Iran.
Huge crowds of mourners dressed in black chanted slogans, waved Iranian flags and held portraits of those killed.
Ahead of the event, a media campaign urged people to participate, with authorities providing free bus and metro rides. Government offices were shut for the day.
Tehran holds mass funeral for slain military leaders, nuclear scientists
Crowds dressed in black and waving national flags marched silently along Azadi Street, where the caskets of around 60 prominent figures were paraded atop trucks. The state funeral procession began around 8am local time (0430 GMT), accompanied by chants of ‘Death to Israel’ and verses from the Qur’an broadcast over loudspeakers. The deaths mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s military hierarchy since the assassinations of Qassem Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. US President Donald Trump rejected the notion of Iranian triumph and claimed he had personally spared Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from a ‘very UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH’ He wrote on his Truth Social account: “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLy AND IGN OMINIous DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’”
Crowds dressed in black and waving national flags marched silently along Azadi Street, where the caskets of around 60 prominent figures, including top Revolutionary Guard commanders and atomic experts, were paraded atop trucks. The state funeral procession began around 8am local time (0430 GMT), accompanied by chants of “Death to Israel” and verses from the Qur’an broadcast over loudspeakers.
🇮🇷 Iran holds funerals for military leaders, nuclear scientists and civilians killed in conflict with Israel
Thousands gather in Revolution Square in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/PlmJv9kndv — ★V141NG★🏴☠️ (@V141NGs) June 28, 2025
🇮🇷 Funeral underway for Iranians, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists, martyred in recent Is…. eli aggression
Press TV Highlights pic.twitter.com/HcIWKeJrMo — Hassainiyat 72🔻 (@S__A15132) June 28, 2025
State television declared, “The ceremony to honour the martyrs has officially started,” as images flooded local media and social platforms showing vast gatherings of mourners in the capital, many holding placards bearing the portraits of the slain.
Among the most prominent of the dead are General Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of its ballistic missile programme, both killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike on 13 June.
The deaths mark one of the most significant blows to Iran’s military hierarchy since the assassinations of Qassem Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Observers say the Israeli strikes this time were not limited to symbolic hits, but part of a far-reaching military operation during the fortnight-long conflict.
Also read: Israel admits failed plot to kill Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei
Iran responded with unprecedented force, launching waves of missiles and drones at Israeli targets — a marked departure from the more calibrated responses Tehran had previously employed. Civilian casualties were reported on both sides: 627 Iranian civilians perished in the bombardments, while Israel officially confirmed 28 civilian deaths.
In the aftermath of the ceasefire, a war of words has erupted between the two bitter foes and their respective allies. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while addressing the nation, declared Iran had “slapped the Zionist regime and the United States in the face” by withstanding the offensive and retaliating with force.
US President Donald Trump, responding on Friday via his Truth Social account, rejected the notion of Iranian triumph and claimed he had personally spared Khamenei. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, ‘THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!’” he wrote.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reacting to Trump’s remarks, said on X: “If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei.”
He added that “The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults.”
Saturday’s ceremonies mark not only national grief, but also a defiant display of unity in a deeply polarised West Asia.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Friday meeting in Washington with families of hostages held by Hamas that true victory in Gaza will only be realized when all the hostages return home. Rubio reaffirmed the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to securing the release of all 50 remaining hostages.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a Friday meeting in Washington with families of hostages held by Hamas that true victory in Gaza will only be realized when all the hostages return home, according to a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
During the meeting, Rubio reaffirmed the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to securing the release of all 50 remaining hostages. He noted that the United States has already demonstrated its ability to lead major initiatives in the Middle East, pointing to Israel’s successes in Iran and Lebanon, and emphasizing that it is also capable of defeating Hamas.
The families said that the current moment presents a critical window of opportunity to release all 50 hostages in a single, comprehensive cease-fire deal with no phases or partial conditions.
“We’ve waited long enough,” the families said. “It’s time to make brave decisions and bring all our loved ones back, all at once.”
The meeting included Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of hostage Omri Miran; Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David; Tzur Goldin, brother of Lt. Hadar Goldin; and recently released hostage Iair Horn, whose brother Eitan Horn remains in captivity.
Iran holds funeral for top military commanders and scientists killed by Israel
Iran holds funeral for top military commanders and scientists killed by Israel. At least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders were among those mourned at the funeral. State TV said the funeral, dubbed the “funeral procession of the Martyrs of Power,” was held for a total of 60 people killed.
Mourners dressed in black lined streets in Iran’s capital Tehran at a funeral on Saturday for top military commanders, nuclear scientists and some of the civilians killed during this month’s war with Israel.
At least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders were among those mourned at the funeral, according to state media, including armed forces chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace Force chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Their coffins were driven into Tehran’s Azadi Square adorned with their pictures as well as rose petals and flowers, as crowds waved Iranian flags. State-run Press TV showed an image of ballistic missiles on display.
State TV said the funeral, dubbed the “funeral procession of the Martyrs of Power,” was held for a total of 60 people killed in the war, including four women and four children.
Attending the funeral were President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, who was seriously wounded during the conflict and is an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Bagheri, Salami and Hajizadeh were killed on June 13, the first day of the war.
Reuters
Iran honours war dead as France urges return to diplomacy
Iran holds state funerals for dozens killed in its brief war with Israel. Around 60 people, including high‑ranking military commanders, scientists and several civilians killed during the recent 12‑day conflict. Despite the sombre atmosphere, the tone of the ceremony reportedly felt unified and optimistic. Meanwhile, Paris has continued to voice concern over the broader regional tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently called on all sides to “refrain from any action that could destabilise the wider region” and emphasised that diplomacy should be the first port of call. President Macron has further urged “maximum restraint,” underscoring Israel’s right to self-defence – and insisting strikes on civilian or non‑nuclear targets must cease.
Iran held an emotional and patriotic state funeral in central Tehran this Saturday for around 60 people, including high‑ranking military commanders, scientists and several civilians killed during the recent 12‑day conflict with Israel.
The ceremony, which began at 08:00 local time, was marked by public mourning and speeches.
Government offices and businesses observed closures for the occasion, as mourners clad in black lined the streets, some waving Iranian flags and holding portraits of the deceased.
Among the attendees were President Masoud Pezeshkian, Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani and senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Shamkhani – who appeared using a walking cane, a visible reminder of the conflict’s toll.
Relatives of slain figures, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri – second‑in‑command of Iran’s armed forces – and nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, walked in the procession alongside decorated coffins draped in national flags.
The funeral also remembered those less often honoured at such events: among the interred were four women and four children.
France says ‘spiral of chaos must end’ amid fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire
Tehran defiant
Despite the sombre atmosphere, the tone of the ceremony reportedly felt unified and optimistic.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself had described US strikes on three Iranian nuclear installations as having “achieved nothing significant” – underscoring Tehran’s defiant stance.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s recent claims about Iran seeking sanctions relief were sharply rebuffed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
He condemned the tone of Trump’s remarks about Khamenei as “disrespectful and unacceptable,” suggesting that attempts at diplomacy would falter so long as Iran’s Supreme Leader remained insulted.
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Iran nuclear sites suffered ‘enormous damage’, IAEA chief tells RFI
Diplomacy takes centre stage
Meanwhile, Paris has continued to voice concern over the broader regional tensions.
Reflecting on the fallout from an Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Evin prison on X earlier this week, France’s Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot described it as “unacceptable”, especially as it endangered two French nationals detained there, although fortunately they were unharmed.
Earlier in the conflict, France also confirmed it intercepted several Iranian drones destined for Israel, a move orchestrated in coordination with regional allies.
Moreover, France’s diplomatic tone has remained firm yet hopeful.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently called on all sides to “refrain from any action that could destabilise the wider region” and emphasised that diplomacy should be the first port of call.
President Macron has further urged “maximum restraint,” underscoring Israel’s right to self‑defence – and insisting strikes on civilian or non‑nuclear targets must cease immediately.