TEHRAN (MNN); Iran witnessed an overwhelming turnout on Sunday as hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran to attend the second day of funeral ceremonies for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family, while senior military and political leaders vowed to pursue justice following his assassination.
Iranian Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami said the country would never abandon its pursuit of those responsible for the assassination carried out in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28.
Addressing mourners, Hatami declared that Iran remained committed to seeking justice, saying those behind the attack would continue to face Iran’s determination until accountability is achieved.
President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the funeral prayers at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, where he offered condolences to Khamenei’s family, including his sons Masoud, Mostafa and Meysam, who were present during the ceremony.
The funeral prayers were led by prominent Shia scholar Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani at the Grand Mosalla complex. However, Khamenei’s designated successor Mojtaba Khamenei did not attend due to reported security concerns following injuries sustained during the February attack.
Funeral rites were also held for four members of Khamenei’s family, including his 14-month-old granddaughter, who were killed in the same strike. Iranian media showed the child’s coffin placed alongside that of the late Supreme Leader during the ceremony.
According to reports from Tehran, mourners waved flags carrying the slogan “We Will Avenge” and chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans throughout the gathering. Some participants also displayed posters targeting US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while speakers at the event led chants calling for retaliation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was also among senior officials attending the funeral.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said implementation of the recently signed US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be challenging but achievable. He stressed that diplomacy and negotiations should complement military achievements and help preserve national interests.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr said the unprecedented public turnout reflected the nation’s commitment to resistance and revenge for the slain leader. In a message, he urged the international community to closely watch Iran’s next steps, saying the country remained united despite external pressure.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that Tehran’s Grand Mosalla had reached full capacity, with crowds extending into surrounding streets. Organisers appealed to mourners to shorten their stay to allow others the opportunity to pay their final respects.
