A massive crowd gathered in Tehran for the days-long funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with several reportedly calling for “revenge” and “death to America” through the Mosalla in Iran on Saturday.
While authorities unveiled the casket containing Khamenei’s body in a glass case at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Iran’s military and security institutions vowed revenge for Khamenei’s death, and chants of “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!” and “We will kill, we will kill he who killed our Imam” reverberated through Tehran.
The strike on the Supreme Leader and his family
Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28 in Tehran, which also marked the first day of a months-long war against Iran.
The strikes that killed the supreme leader also killed his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law, according to Iranian state media.
Mourning rituals at the Grand Mosque
The five coffins, including Khamenei’s, were all draped in Iranian flags and placed on a raised platform at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Reuters reported.
Mourners attend the start of the dayslong funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo)
Mourners expressed their sorrow by beating their chests, wailing, and waving a banner of Iran and historic Shi’ite Muslim martyrs.
Security concerns surrounding the new leadership
However, reports have suggested that Ali Khamenei’s son and current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen in any new image since being injured in the strike, might not attend the funeral procession over security concerns.
Heavy casualties and infrastructure damage from air strikes
The US and Israeli strikes have targeted energy and civilian infrastructure and military targets in the war against Iran. The attacks killed more than 3,000 people in Iran, according to Iranian state media.
Iranian retaliation and strategic waterway disruptions
Iran had retaliated by striking at US bases in the West Asia region, hitting several Gulf countries, and firing missiles toward Israel while choking the strategic waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20 percent of global oil and gas supply. At least 13 US military personnel also died in the operation.
Mourners attend the start of the dayslong funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo) 
Mourners attend the start of the dayslong funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo)
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