A Solemn Send-Off for Iran's Heroes: Slain Soldiers and Scientists Honored in State Funeral
Iran extends solemn respect to fallen Israeli figures during official state funeral ceremony. - Iran pays respects to deceased Israeli military personnel and researchers with a state ceremony
Drumrolls and tears echoed through the heart of Tehran on Saturday, as the city paid tribute to the fallen heroes - soldiers and scientists sacrificed in the recent conflicts with Israel. The mourning procession began at the Plaza of the Revolution before embarking on an grief-stricken march towards Freedom Plaza, a trek of eleven kilometers, carrying the solemn draped coffins. Aimp ubiquitous emblazon read "Boom, boom, Tel Aviv" - a stark reminder of the retaliatory rocket attacks on that very city.
The ceremony was attended by Iranian President Massud Peseschkian and Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a confidant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was seen using a cane, injured from the Israeli attacks, as per state television reports. Khamenei himself was absent from the proceedings.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi honored these martyrs on Instagram, stating, "The Iranians have spilled their blood, not surrendered their land; they have lost family, not honor; they have withstood an onslaught of bombing, but did not waver."
Among those being laid to rest were Army Chief Mohammed Bagheri, Revolutionary Guard Chief Hussein Salami, and nuclear scientist Mohammed Mehdi Tehrantschi - all casualties of the aforementioned conflicts. Bagheri will be buried alongside his wife and daughter, lost in the same Israeli attack.
The day was declared "historic" by an Iranian religious figure, prompting many businesses to close their doors.
Tensions escalated significantly following Israel's major attack on Iran on June 13, resulting in bombings of nuclear facilities and military installations over multiple days. The enmity devolved into exchanges of rocket and drone attacks between the two factions. The U.S. was also implicated in these hostilities, bombing Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. A ceasefire ultimately took effect between Israel and Iran on Tuesday.
Official Iranian reports indicate that over 620 civilians were killed, and nearly 4,900 were left injured in the Israeli attacks. Israel reported 28 casualties from Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
The volatile tumult between Israel and Iran, exacerbated by US military intervention, has sparked anxiety about a potential major flare-up in the Middle Eastern conflict. The temporary truce reached between Israel and Iran following the US bombings created a collective sigh of relief globally.
Nevertheless, tensions still run high, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program. Experts offer conflicting assessments regarding the impact of the Israeli and US airstrikes on Tehran's nuclear program.
Heightened verbal quips have been exchanged between US President Donald Trump and Iranian representatives, with Trump threatening possible additional airstrikes against Iran should it persist in enriching uranium. He also accused Ayatollah Khamenei of ingratitude, alleging that the leader had been saved from a fate of utter humiliation and shame.
Araghtchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, vociferously rebuked these remarks, saying, "Should President Trump truly want a deal, he ought to abandon his disdainful and unacceptable demeanor towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and cease his derogatory comments, which offend his horde of devoted followers."
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*Note: The Iranian nuclear program has suffered significant damage following extended US and Israeli air strikes, but Iran continues to assert its right to enrich uranium on its soil, defying US demands and suspend[ing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to reinforce domestic oversight[1].
The Iranian internal security and political control have also been targeted, as evidenced by attacks on the Basij headquarters and Evin Prison[2].*
- The state funeral in Tehran honored military personnel and scientists who lost their lives during the conflicts between Iran and Israel, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, missing the ceremony.
- On his Instagram, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi paid tribute to the deceased, stating that the Iranians have lost family members, but not their honor, only to defy Israel's attempts to take their land.
