Iran held a somber state funeral in Tehran on Saturday for dozens of military leaders, nuclear scientists, and their family members killed during a recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Hundreds of thousands of mourners packed the streets as flag-draped coffins rolled through the capital, with chants condemning Israel and the U.S. echoing through the crowd.
The funeral procession marked one of the largest public gatherings in Iran since the 2020 funeral of General Qasem Soleimani. Analysts suggest the event underscores rising regional tensions, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing "lasting consequences" for the attacks during his eulogy.
The conflict, which began on June 13, has drawn global attention to shifting power dynamics in the Middle East. Business leaders are closely monitoring potential impacts on oil markets, while security experts warn of escalating proxy conflicts across the region.
Tourism advisories for Western Asia remain active as diplomatic efforts intensify. The funeral’s scale highlights domestic unity amid external pressures, though international observers question how Iran’s response might affect already strained nuclear negotiations.
