Iran Begins Procession Through Tehran for Khamenei’s Funeral

The flag-draped coffin of Khamenei and his family, killed in an air strike at the beginning of the war between Israel and the USA on February 28, was put on a truck. Officials decorated the side of the truck to resemble the ornate grille that surrounds the imam’s tomb.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hasan Hasanzsdeh, who oversaw the parade, said the coffins would be taken through the streets of Tehran on their way to Mehrabad International Airport, a 12-hour journey.

Iran’s theocracy plans to have large crowds attend ceremonies across the city to show public support for the government. Thousands of people were already gathered in squares in Tehran, waving flags and banners in Khamenei’s honor.

Authorities closed streets, airspace and daily life due to the mourning that began on Saturday and will end on Thursday when 86-year-old Khamenei was buried at the Imam Reza shrine in his hometown of Mashhad.

Meanwhile, the United States continues negotiations with Iran aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, rolling back its controversial nuclear program, and permanently ending the war. Talks appear to be on hold until after the funeral.

But as the funeral process progressed, more and more threats came from mourners to avenge Khamenei’s death. Mourners and the banners they carried called for the killing of both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Such signs were seen again along the parade route on Monday.

U.S. federal officials have been tracking Iranian threats against Trump and other administration officials for years, stemming from Trump’s ordering the 2020 killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the elite Quds Force. Iran has repeatedly denied planning to kill Trump, but hard-line propaganda images have long suggested that Trump is in Tehran’s crosshairs.

Trump, meanwhile, has vowed to destroy Iranian civilization during the war, among other threats.

“We are here today for the funeral of our leader, it is a very difficult day,” mourner Fatima Hassan said on Monday morning. he said. “We’re not here to say goodbye to him, we’re here for revenge. And we will get revenge.”