On Saturday, Tehran’s streets were filled with mourners attending funerals for commanders in the Revolutionary Guards and nuclear scientists who lost their lives during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.
Among those honored was General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the security guard’s ballistic missile program. He was transported through the city on trucks with crowds chanting slogans against both America and Israel.
Both Salami and Hajizadeh were reportedly killed on the first day of the war, initiated by Israel with the aim of crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, particularly its military leaders and associated scientists.
There was no immediate sign of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the state broadcast of the funerals.
Khamenei had a public prayer session before the funerals, which was aired on state television, but he hasn’t been seen since the war began.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, attended the events, and reports indicated that other military leaders, including General Esmeil Kaani and General Ali Shamhani, were also present in mourning.
Shamhani, who was injured in the initial Israeli strikes, appeared in a private photograph being shown on state TV channels, leaning on a cane.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards were established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and have since transitioned from a paramilitary force to one that assists Iran’s allies across the Middle East, including in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
They work alongside Iran’s regular military and oversee the nation’s ballistic missile arsenal, with past reports claiming responsibility for two attacks on Israel during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
During the 12 days leading up to the ceasefire declared on Tuesday, Israel stated it had killed an Iranian commander and over 30 nuclear scientists, striking multiple nuclear installations along with over 720 military sites.
The estimated death toll exceeded 1,000, including at least 417 civilians, according to a human rights group based in Washington.
Mourners were seen holding posters of Khamenei and the late Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini during the funeral ceremonies.
The funeral processions were noted as the first public gathering for top commanders since the ceasefire, with state television reporting around 60 attendees, including women and children.
In preparation for the event, government agencies were closed to allow public servants to participate in the ceremonies.
Despite Iran maintaining that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, Israel perceives it as a significant threat, arguing for military actions to deter Iran’s ambitions to develop atomic weapons.
Khamenei’s last public appearance was on June 11, just before hostility escalated. However, he recently released a pre-recorded message where he issued warnings to Israel, highlighting ongoing tensions.
In a strong statement, the 86-year-old leader criticized recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, claiming that they failed to achieve intended objectives and declaring a victory over Israel.
Rafael Grossi from the United Nations Nuclear Watch commented that the damage from American bomb strikes at one of Iran’s nuclear sites was notably severe.
