TEHRAN: Iran held large-scale funeral ceremonies for senior officials Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes earlier this week, drawing thousands of mourners and top state representatives in a show of national grief and defiance.
According to Iranian state media, the funeral procession saw massive crowds gather in the capital to pay tribute to the slain leaders, widely regarded as among the most prominent figures in the country’s political and security establishment. The ceremonies were attended by senior officials, military personnel, and civilians, reflecting the significance of the losses.
Iranian authorities confirmed that Larijani was killed in a strike that also claimed the lives of his son Morteza Larijani, his aide Alireza Bayat, and several members of his entourage. Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that Soleimani, the head of the Basij paramilitary force, was also killed in a coordinated US-Israeli attack.
The deaths of Larijani and Soleimani mark some of the most high-profile losses for Iran since the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following the outbreak of war on February 28, 2026. Their funerals have become a focal point for public mourning as well as political messaging amid the escalating conflict.
In response to the killings, Iran has intensified its military actions, launching cluster missile strikes toward central Israel. Iranian officials described the attacks as retaliation for the assassination of key figures, with reports indicating casualties and damage to infrastructure in targeted areas.
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