Millions mourn Iran’s Ali Khamenei amid historic funeral procession

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Iran has begun an unprecedented six-day funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli attack on February 28 at the start of the war on Iran. Hundreds of thousands have poured into Tehran, with officials expecting more than 10 million mourners to participate in ceremonies that will move through Qom, Iraq, and end with burial in Mashhad, according to reports from Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and The Hindu.

The 86-year-old leader's body, along with those of several family members killed in the same strike, was displayed in a glass case at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran on July 4. Mourners, many dressed in black, filled major avenues, some chanting 'Revenge! Revenge!' and carrying banners reading 'Death to America!' and 'We will kill Trump,' as reported by The Hindu and Al Jazeera.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the funeral has been extensive, with outlets emphasizing different aspects of the event. Al Jazeera focused on the scale and symbolism of the ceremonies, noting that authorities have opened more than 5,000 schools and tens of thousands of classrooms to accommodate pilgrims, and that delegations from over 100 countries attended events for foreign dignitaries.

Deutsche Welle took a more analytical approach, highlighting the leadership transition and the broader institutional transformation under Khamenei. The outlet reported that his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains hidden from public view after being disfigured in the airstrike, and was absent from official mourning ceremonies. DW also discussed the internal dynamics within Iran's power structures, including the growing influence of security institutions.

The Hindu provided on-the-ground detail, reporting on the emotional scenes in Tehran, including the story of a 27-year-old mourner, Hananeh Mousavi, who said she wished she had died before the tragedy. The Hindu also covered the movement of the funeral procession to Qom, where the bodies arrived on July 6, and noted that a separate incident—an oil tanker hit by an 'unknown projectile' near the Strait of Hormuz—occurred during the funeral period.

All three outlets attributed Khamenei's death to a US-Israeli attack on February 28, though descriptions varied slightly: Al Jazeera called it a 'US-Israeli attack,' Deutsche Welle referred to a 'US air strike,' and The Hindu used 'US-Israeli airstrike' or 'Israeli and U.S. airstrikes.'

Key Claims

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a US-Israeli airstrike, as reported by Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, and The Hindu.
• The funeral ceremonies are expected to draw millions of mourners, with Al Jazeera citing officials' estimates of over 10 million.
• Mourners chanted slogans such as 'Death to America!' and 'Revenge! Revenge!' during the ceremonies, as reported by The Hindu.
• US President Donald Trump made a speech saying 'We knocked the hell out of Iran' at the same time as the funeral, a claim carried by The Hindu.
• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has played a decisive role in the escalating confrontation with Washington, according to Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
• There is an internal power struggle within the Revolutionary Guards, a claim made by Deutsche Welle.
• Mojtaba Khamenei, the son and successor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, remains hidden from public view, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

The Islamic Republic of Iran, through its officials and loyal mourners, views Khamenei as a 'martyr' and the ceremonies as a historic farewell. Mourners expressed devotion to the late leader and called for revenge against the United States.

US President Donald Trump, as quoted by The Hindu, framed the attack as a victory, saying 'We knocked the hell out of Iran,' suggesting a perspective that the strike was a successful military action.