'We Must Rise': Iran Projects Message Of Continuity As Thousands Mourn Khamenei At Mass Funeral

Published 5 July 2026 · world

'We Must Rise': Iran Projects Message Of Continuity As Thousands Mourn Khamenei At Mass Funeral Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 07:25 IST Iran's

'We Must Rise': Iran Projects Message Of Continuity As Thousands Mourn Khamenei At Mass Funeral Published By, Last Updated: July 05, 2026, 07:25 IST Iran's funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei have become a show of support for successor Mojtaba Khamenei, with mourners pledging revenge and loyalty to the Islamic Republic. People attend a public farewell ceremony to pay their respects to late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Photo: Reuters) Iranian authorities have begun large-scale public commemorations for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, using the ceremonies to project a message of continuity for the Islamic Republic following his death during the US-Israeli war on Iran. According to Al Jazeera, the official slogan for the commemorations is “We must rise," accompanied by an image of Khamenei’s clenched fist against a red-and-black background. The report mentioned that the ceremonies are being presented as a show of resilience, with authorities promoting both continuity of the Islamic Republic and calls for vengeance over Khamenei’s killing. Mourners attending the ceremonies expressed support for Mojtaba Khamenei, who was quickly selected as Iran’s new supreme leader by a clerical body in March following his father’s killing. “We are all here to seek blood vengeance for our leader," Fatemeh, a 55-year-old woman travelling with a group of women dressed in black chadors, was quoted as saying, while waiting to enter the prayer complex through a northern gate.

She also voiced support for the succession, saying, “We will all listen to his son. He will guide the revolution forward." The report mentioned that the message of continuity has been central to the commemorations, with officials presenting the leadership transition as a continuation of the Islamic Republic’s revolutionary path. TENS OF THOUSANDS GATHER FOR PUBLIC VIEWING OF COFFIN Tens of thousands of Iranians gathered at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla on Saturday to view Khamenei’s coffin, which was displayed under glass alongside the coffins of several members of his family. Mourners dressed in black and draped in Iran’s national flag held portraits of both Khamenei and Mojtaba Khamenei. The coffins of his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter were also placed on display. Mourners filed into the vast prayer complex, beating their chests, wailing and chanting slogans, including “Death to America," while organisers encouraged the crowds through loudspeakers. Women wearing black chadors used white visors and umbrellas to shield themselves from the summer heat. The agency also noted that there has been no public appearance or image released of Mojtaba Khamenei since he was reportedly injured in the same attack that killed his father. Mourners framed the funeral as a moment to pledge revenge for Khamenei’s killing.