Iran holds State funeral for 60 killed in conflict with Israel

Iran on Saturday held a national funeral ceremony in Tehran for around 60 individuals, including top military commanders, who died in its recent conflict with Israel. The solemn event, which began at 8:00 am local time, saw government offices and many businesses shut down as the country paid tribute to the deceased.

State television aired scenes of mourners dressed in black, waving Iranian flags, and carrying photographs of the slain officers. The coffins, draped in Iranian flags and adorned with the portraits of those killed, were laid out near Enghelab Square. President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials attended the ceremony, which continued with a procession to Azadi Square.

Among those being buried were high-ranking military officers such as Mohammad Bagheri, a senior figure in the Revolutionary Guards, along with his wife and daughter. Also being laid to rest were nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami. Four children were among the deceased.

The conflict, which began on June 13, involved both Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, and Iranian missile attacks in retaliation. Iran claimed the Israeli strikes resulted in 627 civilian deaths, while Israeli officials reported 28 fatalities from Iran’s attacks. Despite a ceasefire, both sides claimed victory.

The ceremony came amid renewed tensions following comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and claimed he had spared his life. Trump also said he was previously working on sanction relief for Iran but dropped the effort due to Iran’s hostile response.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them disrespectful and counterproductive to diplomatic efforts. He said that the Iranian people reject threats and disrespect, particularly after what Tehran sees as its success in forcing Israel into a ceasefire.

Tensions were further stoked as Trump reiterated his 2018 decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, which he had long criticized. While Trump announced that talks for a new agreement would soon begin, Iranian officials dismissed any such development, accusing him of exaggerating U.S. military achievements.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reaffirmed his country’s position that the global community must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, emphasizing the threat posed by what he called the world’s “most extreme regime.”

Tags: Iran Isreal

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