Khamenei's funeral turns into an anti-American hate rally

The state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who died in American and Israeli airstrikes, has begun in the capital Tehran, turning into a massive anti-American rally. A six-day mourning period has been declared for his body, who died in the attacks on February 28, and over 20 million people have gathered in the capital to pay their final respects.

The crowds gathered there are chanting strong anti-American slogans such as "Death to America" and "Blood for blood."

Five bodies, draped in the Iranian national flag, have been placed on a special platform at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla prayer ground in Tehran. In addition to the bodies of Khamenei, his daughter, nephew, and niece, the body of his 14-month-old granddaughter was placed in a box the size of a small travel bag, drawing everyone's attention. A black turban was placed on the box containing Khamenei's body, symbolizing his lineage from Prophet Muhammad.

Addressing the funeral assembly, organizers stated that Ayatollah Khamenei and his family were unjustly killed by Satan. People dressed in black chanted, wishing death upon the killers and demanding revenge. Women, weeping with photos of Khamenei in hand, displayed placards written in English saying "Kill Trump," as well as red flags with various anti-American slogans and Iranian national flags. On the stage, the empty chair and table from the Hosseiniyeh religious center where Khamenei delivered sermons during his lifetime were also placed to intensify public grief, and a group of children performed eulogies and dances in his honor.

Khamenei, who died at the age of 87, was a leader unpopular among the people due to economic decline before the war and the suppression of anti-government protests. However, after his death in an American-Israeli attack, which Iran calls an act of Satan, he has been honored with the title of "Martyr," a distinction not even bestowed upon the first Supreme Leader Khomeini. The funeral ceremony began on July 4, immediately after the end of the mourning period for Imam Hussein, revered by Shia Muslims, and coincided with the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day. According to Mohammad Eslami, a researcher at Tehran University, Iran's objective has been to unite the country by attributing the historical tragedy of Imam Hussein to the Khamenei family.

Khamenei's son and the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba, did not appear publicly at the event, and The New York Times reports that he has been in hiding for the past five months due to Israeli assassination threats. However, he is expected to deliver a eulogy at the final rites on July 9. Delegations from over 30 countries, including China, Russia, and Pakistan, are attending the funeral, among them Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, and Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress of China He Wei. The bodies of the Khamenei family are scheduled to be taken to Qom on July 6, and to the holy cities of Karbala, Baghdad, and Najaf in Iraq on July 7.