Iran conducts state funeral for military leaders killed in Israeli strikes

In the aftermath of a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, Iran prepared to conduct a state funeral for military leaders and nuclear scientists who lost their lives. The conflict, which escalated significantly after June 13, resulted in extensive casualties and military operations, with both sides claiming considerable losses. As the funeral was held in Tehran, hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects, demonstrating their anger and defiance against Israel and the United States. Many officials, including the Iranian Foreign Minister, were present, although Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was notably absent from the event. The conflict began with Israel launching an operation aimed at neutralizing Iran's nuclear capabilities, as they viewed Iran's nuclear program as a significant threat. Over the course of the 12 days, Israeli forces claimed to have killed approximately 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists. On the other hand, Iran retaliated by launching over 550 ballistic missiles toward Israel, causing casualties and damage despite many being intercepted. The situation reignited long-standing tensions between Iran and Israel, further complicated by international engagement and diplomatic efforts. During the funeral, the mood among the Iranian public was one of mourning and anger, signaling a collective response to the losses suffered during the conflict. Authorities closed government offices to allow for public participation, and many attendees expressed sentiments of revenge against perceived aggressors. The departure of Khamenei from public view has raised questions over the regime's stability and the leadership’s future amidst growing public unrest and allegations of crackdowns on dissent. As diplomatic efforts and negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear aspirations continue to falter, the funeral served as a significant public display of the regime's resilience and the mobilization of national sentiment against external adversaries. The events exemplified both the internal challenges faced by the Iranian government in maintaining public support and the external pressures from military confrontations and international condemnation.