Tehran Times

2026-07-06 20:22
Millions of mourners stream through Tehran as national funeral procession honors martyred Leader

TEHRAN — A monumental sea of people filled the primary avenues of Iran's capital on Monday, marking a historic and deeply somber final national funeral procession for the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Authorities described the turnout as the most massive public gathering witnessed in modern Iranian history. Millions of citizens converged from various regions to pay their final respects to a prominent figure whose sudden departure has profoundly impacted the entire country, transforming the metropolis into a vast arena of collective mourning, civic solidarity, and strategic resolve.
- Millions join historic funeral prayers for Iran’s martyred Leader
- Farewell ceremony in Iran sparks global social media debate

By Fardin Molaei

Global media frame Iran's largest funeral as geopolitical referendum

TEHRAN – As the Islamic Republic of Iran enters the third and most significant day of the funeral procession for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the global media narrative has shifted from reporting the sheer, staggering scale of the crowds to analyzing the profound political and geopolitical symbolism of a nation mourning its assassinated leader.
By Garsha Vazirian

A divine canvas of grief through Tehran's blistering heat

TEHRAN — To say it was historical doesn't do it justice. That word feels too clinical for the civilizational gravity of what unfolded here on July 6.
By Maedeh Zaman Fashami

Tehran: Ocean of the Awakened Ummah for the Martyr Leader

TEHRAN- Let me begin by saying that this is not a news report, nor a statistical account of participants or a description of how the ceremony was organized. It is a narrative about ordinary people—housewives, students, and retirees—who came out into the streets to bid farewell to a man they feel eternally indebted to. From Mr. Vessali, a father of a martyr, to Ebrahim, who came to the funeral procession of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution despite his disability, saying, “I came to tell Sayyid Ali: You’re the best!”
By Wesam Bahrani

Millions in Iraq prepare to bid farewell to martyred Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN – Iraq is making final preparations for a historic one-day funeral commemoration for Iran’s martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to take part in ceremonies in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
By Samaneh Aboutalebi

Millions on the streets, millions online: social media captures Iran's farewell to martyred Leader

TEHRAN – As millions of mourners poured into the streets of Tehran on Monday to bid farewell to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, social media platforms became an equally important arena where images, eyewitness accounts, and competing narratives unfolded in real time.

Politics

Global correspondents chronicle historic scale at Leader's monumental funeral in Tehran

TEHRAN — The massive human landscape filling the central arteries of the Iranian capital on July 6 forced the global press corps to confront an unexpected geopolitical reality.
From sunrise to sunset: witnessing a historic day in Tehran

TEHRAN – About an hour after sunrise on Monday, I joined the growing crowds making their way toward Enqelab Square. Thousands of mourners were already filling the streets, walking quietly but steadily toward what would become one of the largest funeral processions in Iran’s contemporary history.
A brave nation bids farewell to Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN - The streets of Tehran have never seen anything quite like this. Millions of mourners, shoulder to shoulder, filling every avenue leading to the heart of the city. Black-clad crowds stretching as far as the eye can see. The sound of sorrowful chants mixing with the rhythmic beating of chests in traditional mourning.

Sports

Chinese Taipei down Iran at 2026 AVC Girls' Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN -Chinese Taipei eased past Iran in straight sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-22) on Monday.
Iran defeat Syria at 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier

TEHRAN - Iran have completed the 2-0 sweep over Syria, following the 73-52 victory earlier today at the Prince Hamza stadium in Jordan.
Iran beat Australia at 2026 AVC Girls' U18 Volleyball Championship

TEHRAN -Iran defeated Australia 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19) at the 2026 AC Girls' Volleyball Championship on Sunday.

Culture

Seven singers release “Farewell” album for Martyr Leader

TEHRAN – Simultaneously with the farewell and funeral ceremonies of the martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the music album “Farewell” will be released.
Behrouz Afkhami making documentary on Martyr Leader’s farewell, funeral ceremonies

TEHRAN – Iranian filmmaker Behrouz Afkhami is making a new documentary about the farewell and funeral ceremonies of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khameni.
“Eyes of Minab” art installation greets foreign dignitaries at Leader’s farewell ceremony

TEHRAN – A memorial dedicated to the martyred children of Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab has been placed at the entrance of the hall where foreign officials are paying their respects to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, at the Tehran’s Mosalla.

Economy

Difference in objective function; a framework for understanding economic thought of martyred Leader

TEHRAN- The former governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), emphasizing that the economic thought of the martyred Ayatollah Khamenei can be interpreted not as a replacement for the science of economics, but as an effort to define "a comprehensive governance objective function," believes: In this objective function, the economy holds a central position, but not all decisions are evaluated solely based on a single economic variable; rather, their effects on justice, security, independence, social capital, public culture, and the long-term interests of the country are also taken into account.
ICCIMA head message on occasion of martyred Leader funeral

TEHRAN- Samad Hassanzadeh, the Head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), referring to the millions-strong presence of Iran's appreciative people in the glorious farewell to the sacred body of the martyred leader, stated: "The great community of economic activists, producers, industrialists, and entrepreneurs of the country also considers itself alongside the great Iranian nation in honoring this historic epic, and firmly believes that the grandeur of the people's presence in this glorious farewell will be a lasting asset for the authority, cohesion, and future of this land."
Iran-Qatar trade resumed with reopening of Al Ruwais port to Iranian goods

TEHRAN- Iran's Commercial Attaché in Doha announced the reopening of Qatar's Al Ruwais port to Iranian goods and the resumption of maritime trade between the two countries.

Society

WHO Iran representative highlights role of collaborating centers in expanding scientific capacity

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iran, John Jabbour, has highlighted the important role of WHO collaborating centers in expanding the Organization’s scientific and technical capacity.
IRCS, health ministry ready for martyred Leader’s funeral procession in Iraq

TEHRAN – The Iranian Red Crescent Society and the health ministry are ready to provide health and relief services to mourners attending the late leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s funeral procession which are going to be held in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Iranian, Cuban science ministers highlight boosting academic ties

TEHRAN – Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, and Cuban Minister of Higher Education, Walter Baluja García, have underlined the need to expand academic and educational relations.

Tourism

Jameh Mosque of Dezful: An architectural treasure in Iran’s city of bricks

TEHRAN - Jameh Mosque of Dezful is one of the oldest and most significant Islamic monuments in southwestern Iran.
Intl. journalists visit damaged Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran

TEHRAN – On Friday, tens of international journalists, photographers, and television crews from various global media organizations visited Tehran's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace to observe sections of the historic complex damaged by a nearby missile strike and to document the ongoing restoration efforts.
Persepolis through the eyes of Iran’s martyred leader

TEHRAN – As Iran prepares to bid farewell to its martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, one of the defining moments reflecting his vision of the country’s cultural identity has once again come into focus: his historic visit to the UNESCO-listed Persepolis in 1988, where he described the ancient site as a “valuable treasure” that must be safeguarded for future generations.

International

The clenched fist and the geometric fusion of Resistance

TEHRAN — The bodies lay at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla on July 3; yet another spectacle was the people paying their respects.
Sedition in Lebanon, or a calculated agenda of betrayal?

TEHRAN - Throughout history, political turmoil and national betrayal have often been linked, and Lebanon today is no exception. It faces a dangerous moment where its own officials are making deals that serve Israeli interests.
The modern golem of Silicon Valley demands a ritual sacrifice of innocence

TEHRAN — The little boys and little girls of the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school had just settled into their morning lessons when the sky split open. It was February 28, the opening day of the American-Israeli campaign against Iran, and three Tomahawk cruise missiles, one by one, tore through the roof, collapsing concrete onto the children's desks.