Khamenei funeral opens in Tehran amid revenge vows, turnout pressure

As Ali Khamenei’s coffin is carried through days of state-orchestrated mourning, the Islamic Republic is trying to recast a humiliating wartime death as martyrdom, continuity and power, and repair a system wounded by war and public distrust.

The funeral is not simply the burial of a dead ruler. It is an attempt to rebuild the image of a damaged power structure.

The Islamic Republic lost its leader in the first blow of the war, at the heart of its own power network and alongside members of his family.

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The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said on Saturday that "divine revenge" against the United States and Israel was not far away.

"We are confident that divine revenge against terrorist America and the illegitimate Zionist regime is not far off," IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Azmaei said in a statement published by Mehr News.

He said the IRGC Navy and "guardians of the strategic Strait of Hormuz" would continue the path of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "with strength and steadfastness."

Tehran's parks and green spaces authority said participants in funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were being housed in 950 parks across the capital.
Viewers told Iran International that some parks were closed to ordinary travellers and residents, with entry barred.

Iranian authorities are preparing for the possibility that Ali Khamenei’s week-long funeral ceremonies could leave between 1,500 and 3,000 people dead, Germany’s WELT reported, citing a classified document and municipal sources in Tehran.

The report, written from Tehran by an anonymous author whose identity is known to WELT’s editors, said officials have drawn up contingency plans for a possible mass-casualty disaster during the processions for the slain former Supreme Leader.

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Iran's Intelligence Ministry vowed on Saturday to avenge the killing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other victims of US and Israeli strikes, according to a statement carried by state media.

"The wounded hearts of the proud people of Iran and freedom-seekers around the world will not heal except through vengeance against those responsible for the crime of assassinating the martyred leader," the ministry said.

It also pledged loyalty to current Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and vowed to seek "revenge for the blood of the martyred leader and the innocent victims" of what it called Iran's second and third "imposed wars", referring to last year's 12-day conflict and the war launched by Israel and the United States in February.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said on Saturday that reaching a final agreement between the United States and Iran would be extremely difficult, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Medvedev said he had discussed the situation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and that Russia had proposed ways to resolve the issue of Iranian nuclear materials through peaceful means.

He said the Strait of Hormuz had proved to be a powerful tool for Iran and said the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could also be used.

Medvedev said countries under what he called illegal sanctions, including Russia and Iran, could create a treaty or forum and impose counter-sanctions.a

Iranians living abroad began holding rallies on Saturday as a "Global Week of Action for a Free Iran" got underway as the Islamic Republic launched a week of funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The campaign follows a call by Prince Reza Pahlavi.

The first gathering took place outside the US embassy in Canberra, Australia, with participants voicing support for a transition away from the Islamic Republic.

Similar rallies were scheduled later on Saturday outside US embassies in Milan, Berlin, Stockholm, London, Brussels, Paris and Ottawa, as well as outside the US consulate in Calgary, according to the organizers.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned on Saturday against any foreign military presence in the Strait of Hormuz after Britain and France said they stood ready to support freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

"The Strait of Hormuz is not a place for military displays by outside powers," Gharibabadi wrote on X.

"Iran, as the responsible power and guarantor of security in the Strait, warns against any military movement in this waterway," he said.

He added that "security in Hormuz belongs to the coastal states" and said "those who create crises will be responsible for the consequences of their adventurism. This is a serious warning."

Gharibabadi's remarks came after Britain and France said they were prepared to deploy a broader multinational military mission to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz while working with Oman to help ensure safe navigation in its territorial waters.