Iran has laid to rest its former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in his hometown of Mashhad, Iranian media reported, adding that millions of mourners gathered to pray and demand vengeance for his assassination by the US and Israel in February, while also voicing strong opposition to any compromise with Tehran’s enemies.
The funeral procession in Mashhad concluded at 10:00 PM on Thursday, with millions gathering at the Razavi Shrine for funeral prayers led by Khamenei’s eldest son, Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mostafa Hosseini Khamenei, IRNA news agency reported.
Mourners chanted "Death to America," "Death to Israel," and "Death to the opponents of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist)" during the funeral procession. They also waved red flags, symbolising vengeance, alongside the Iranian flag as the cortege moved through the streets, IRNA added.
Khamenei was buried with his infant granddaughter, son-in-law, daughter and Mojtaba Khamenei's wife Zahra Haddad Adel, who were all killed in the US-Israeli attack on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Those attacks also killed much of the other top military brass as well as some 160 school children.
But Iran quickly hit back by exerting control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passageway through which one-fifth of global oil once sailed, raining missiles and drones on US-allied Gulf Arab monarchies, shattering the oil-rich countries' hard-earned reputation for stability.
Beating their chests and weeping, mourners lined the route as they waited for Khamenei's coffin to arrive at the eastern city's shrine of Imam Reza, the holiest site for Shia Muslims in Iran and the burial place he had chosen in his will.
A helicopter transported the body across the final stretch to the shrine because the main avenue was expected to be crammed with people.
With new hostilities breaking out with the United States even after a Pakistan-mediated accord last month to end the war, at least one fighter jet escorted the plane carrying the late Iranian leader's coffin to Mashhad.
The burial was the final act in a marathon six days of funeral ceremonies, which have allowed people to pay tribute in Tehran, the clerical hub of Qom and also Iraq.
Observers have been watching closely for any signs of Khamenei's son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to make any public appearances and was said to have been wounded in the same strike that killed his father and other family members.
But while the elder son Mostafa Khamenei and other family members and top officials were present, there was no sign of Mojtaba as the funeral prayers went on into the night.
'Only revenge can soothe the pain'
Men wore black shirts while women were clad in black chadors, many waving the red flags that symbolise the search for vengeance, AFP correspondents said.
Led by the funeral eulogist, they chanted slogans against compromise and US President Donald Trump and extremist Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
They carried a massive banner which read "hey Trump we will kill you" written in English, AFP correspondents said.
"The loss of the leader is heavier than losing our parents," said Hoda, 35, a housewife attending the funeral.
"Only the death of Trump and Netanyahu will soothe our pain. There should be no compromise at all," she told AFP, referring to the deal with the US that ended months of hostilities in mid-June.
From the early hours of the morning, mourners dressed largely in black streamed towards the shrine carrying red flags despite temperatures nearing 40C.
"People here all seek revenge," said Mohammad Afsharian, 41, a shop owner.
"I don't know what's the story with diplomacy and what's the policy to continue diplomacy but all the people are carrying red flags in a sign of seeking revenge," he said.
The anger echoed criticism from Iranian hardliners, who have repeatedly attacked President Masoud Pezeshkian's government for pursuing talks with Washington after the killing of Khamenei.
"Only revenge, only revenge can soothe the pain," said Tahereh Rahmani, 37, a school executive."We are here with our red flags to call for the revenge of our leader."
'There will be blood'
Near the mausoleum, many children were present. Many came with their families, wearing caps in the colours of Iran.
At the foot of a hotel called Miami, a giant banner showed a caricature of Trump with a bounty on his head.
Another sign showed Netanyahu with a message in English: "There will be blood."
