The unprecedented funeral procession for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution became the focus of global media attention.
The Associated Press reported that Tehran's streets were packed with mourners as the coffins of Iran's late Leader and his family members, who were martyred in what it described as attacks, were carried on a truck decorated in the style of the shrines of the Imams. The agency noted the complete shutdown of the capital, adding that beyond its religious significance, the massive turnout reflected a demonstration of popular strength. It also reported calls for retaliation against those held responsible—the leaders of the US and the Zionist regime, and noted that diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran on the security of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear issues had been suspended until after the ceremonies.
France 24, in extensive coverage, compared the funeral to the historic farewell for Imam Khomeini, citing the unprecedented number of mourners in central Tehran. The network said the ceremony projected national strength and unity while conveying strong anti-hegemony messages and steadfast opposition to what it described as US crimes.
CNN described Tehran's streets as filled with crowds and characterized the gathering as a symbol of "national solidarity." The network referred to a "river of flags," portraying the event not merely as a mourning ceremony but as a manifestation of the Iranian people's determination to uphold their ideals.
The Guardian reported from Tehran that the funeral procession stretched from Enghelab Square to Azadi Square, with vast crowds participating throughout the route.
The newspaper said mourners carried Iranian flags, portraits of the late Leader, and banners bearing the slogan "We Will Rise," while roads leading to the procession were packed from the early hours of the day.
Al Jazeera, broadcasting live from Tehran, highlighted the presence of hundreds of thousands of mourners and emphasized the continuity and stability of Iran's political system following the assassination of the Leader and the orderly transfer of authority. The network also reflected the public's expressions of loyalty to the martyred Leader's ideals.
Turkey's Anadolu Agency reported that the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the martyred Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was carried through Tehran's streets at the start of Monday's funeral procession, attended by large numbers paying their respects. The agency accompanied its report with photographs showing the vast crowds.
Euronews published a video showing mourners weeping and reaching toward the truck carrying the body of Iran's martyred Leader.
Pakistan's English-language Express News wrote that the funeral of Iran's martyred Leader, who it said was killed in a joint US-Israeli act of aggression, was not merely a funeral ceremony but a global display of the Iranian people's resistance and steadfastness. It added that the event sent a clear message to Washington and Tel Aviv, arguing that despite targeting various sites in Iran, including the Supreme Leader and thousands of civilians, the joint US-Israeli campaign failed to achieve its objectives.
Sweden's Sweden Herald highlighted the large turnout of Iranians devoted to Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei at the funeral in Tehran. The newspaper said images released by Iranian media showed hundreds of thousands accompanying the coffin through the capital despite the intense summer heat.
Meanwhile, Iraq's Al-Ahd and Lebanon's Al Mayadeen broadcast live images of what they described as Tehran's "red tide," calling the mass funeral a "historic and unprecedented farewell" in which mourners, carrying banners calling for vengeance, declared their steadfastness. The body of the martyred Leader, they reported, will be taken to the holy city of Qom tomorrow, then to Iraq's holy shrines on Wednesday, before being laid to rest on Thursday at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
The Times of India highlighted the start of the funeral procession, noting its 10-kilometer route and the presence of "massive crowds" of mourners.
Bangladesh's The Daily Star, citing Iranian state media, reported the beginning of the funeral procession for the martyred Leader and three members of his family in Tehran, emphasizing the scale of public participation.
The news outlet Indiasnews, citing Press TV, described the funeral as "the largest public gathering in contemporary Iranian history" and reported that the ceremony was expected to last between 10 and 12 hours.
NOURNEWS