Revenge, Revenge Iran Mourns

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Saturday for the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with chants of “revenge, revenge” echoing through the capital as the Islamic Republic staged one of the largest state mourning events in its modern history.

The ceremony at the sprawling Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla drew vast crowds dressed in black and carrying Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei and images of his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Red flags, a symbol of revenge and martyrdom in Shiite Islam, were prominently displayed as mourners vowed to avenge the killing of the leader who had ruled Iran for 37 years.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad paid tribute on behalf of Bangladesh at the state funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, reaffirming Dhaka’s solidarity with the Iranian people during a period of national mourning.

At the funeral ceremony held at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla, the Speaker offered prayers for the departed leader and conveyed condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior Iranian leaders.

According to a press release, Hafiz Uddin strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship, deep cultural ties and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Iran.

Khamenei, 86, was killed on February 28 during the opening phase of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, an attack that triggered a regional conflict stretching across the Middle East. Several members of his family were also killed in the strike.

At the Grand Mosalla complex, mourners beat their chests, recited prayers and chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Many described the late leader as a martyr who had sacrificed himself for the nation.

“We have come not for the funeral but for revenge,” one eulogist declared to the crowd, reflecting the mood among many attendees.

The coffin, draped in the Iranian national flag, was placed on a raised platform alongside the coffins of family members killed in the same attack.

Portraits depicting different stages of Khamenei’s life adorned the walls of the vast prayer complex, while volunteers distributed water and refreshments to mourners enduring temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

The funeral comes at a pivotal moment for Iran following months of war, ceasefire negotiations and continuing regional tensions.

While the conflict inflicted heavy human and economic losses on the country, Iranian authorities have sought to present the funeral as a demonstration of national unity and resilience.

Beyond the scale of public participation, the presence of high-level delegations and political leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other regions highlighted Iran’s enduring diplomatic and strategic importance despite decades of sanctions and international isolation efforts.

Representatives from numerous governments attended memorial ceremonies in Tehran, joining senior Iranian officials, military commanders, religious leaders and foreign dignitaries.

The broad international participation reflected Iran’s continuing influence in regional security, global energy markets and the wider geopolitical balance across Eurasia and the Middle East.

Analysts note that the attendance of world leaders and official delegations demonstrates that Iran remains a central actor in international affairs.

Situated at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, the country holds one of the world’s largest energy reserves and occupies a strategic position along major trade and maritime routes.

Iran’s role has become even more significant amid shifting global alignments, growing competition among major powers and ongoing conflicts across the region.

Its relationships with countries including China, Russia and numerous states in the Global South have reinforced its diplomatic relevance despite pressure from Western powers.

The funeral also underscored the importance of Iran’s network of regional allies and partners. Supporters of the Iran-backed Hezbollah were visible among the crowds, while delegations linked to Iran’s regional allies are expected to participate in subsequent ceremonies in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

Iranian authorities have announced a week-long series of commemorations that will culminate in Khamenei’s burial near the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. Ceremonies are also planned in Qom, the country’s leading centre of Shiite scholarship.