Iran holds funeral for commanders, scientists killed in war with Israel

Iran held a funeral ceremony in Tehran on Saturday for dozens of people killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Senior Iranian officials attended the event and delivered remarks touching on a range of themes, including national unity, military resilience, and nuclear oversight.

State media said the ceremony was held for 60 individuals. Among them were at least 16 nuclear scientists and 10 senior military commanders.

Among those commemorated were Mohammad Bagheri, commander of the Iranian armed forces; Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guards; and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led the Guards’ Aerospace Force. All three were killed on June 13, the first day of the conflict.

Ali Shamkhani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attended the ceremony, appearing in public for the first time since being wounded in an Israeli strike earlier this month. He had been targeted on the first night of Israeli attacks, and initial reports said he had been killed. State-linked outlets later said he was wounded but survived.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was absent, though in a televised message earlier this week, he said that Israel had been “brought to its knees” and that the United States had “gained nothing” from the war.

Officials denounce IAEA and bar inspectors

Several officials used the occasion to deliver criticism of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said cooperation with the agency “cannot continue as before,” and accused it of passing information to "hostile states".

Lawmaker Hamid Rasaei said parliamentary legislation bars IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and his team from entering Iran, and that nuclear surveillance equipment had been deactivated. Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad called Grossi a liar and said he would face consequences for his role.

Remarks emphasize strength, resistance and imposed ceasefire

Other speakers focused on the war’s outcome. Several described the ceasefire as something forced on Israel and the US, not the result of any concession by Iran.

Parliamentarian Ebrahim Azizi said Iran had never surrendered and instead “forced its enemies to submit to the will of the Iranian people.” Former IRGC intelligence chief Hossein Taeb said Iran was prepared to deliver a stronger blow in the event of renewed hostilities.