Thousands mourn Iran's slain leader Khamenei at Tehran funeral amid chants for revenge

Thousands gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla on July 4, 2026 for the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in US-Israeli attacks on February 28 that triggered a regional war. Mourners beat chests and chanted 'revenge, revenge' while holding red flags—a Shiite symbol of vengeance—as Khamenei's flag-draped coffin was unveiled after Quran recitations. His body lay in state alongside family members also killed in the attack, with portraits of his successor Mojtaba Khamenei visible in the crowd. Security was strict as temperatures reached mid-30s Celsius, forcing many to park kilometers away and walk due to traffic restrictions. The funeral followed Friday memorials attended by international delegations. Though the US and Iran signed a preliminary ceasefire deal last month, sporadic exchanges of fire continue, and Hezbollah—part of Iran's Axis of Resistance—was seen with yellow flags among mourners. Khamenei ruled Iran for over three decades before his death at age 86.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/04/revenge-revenge-iran-mourners-gather-for-khameneis-funeral/