Large crowds dressed in black flooded the streets of Tehran on Saturday, mourning Iran’s top military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during this month’s brutal aerial war with Israel.
Among the dead were at least 16 scientists and 10 senior commanders, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander General Hossein Salami, and Guards Aerospace chief General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Their coffins, adorned with photos and national flags, moved through Azadi Square as mourners waved flags, reached out to touch the caskets, and threw rose petals. State media called the funeral the "procession of the Martyrs of Power."
The war began on June 13, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military leaders, marking Iran’s worst blow since the 1980s war with Iraq. Iran retaliated with missile barrages targeting Israeli military sites and cities. The United States joined on June 22, striking Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian officials said 60 people were buried on Saturday. Mass prayers were held, and ballistic missiles were displayed in the square.
President Masoud Pezeshkian attended alongside senior officials, including Ayatollah Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, and Ali Shamkhani, who was wounded during the conflict. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi praised Iranians' "heroic resistance" against Israel and the U.S., claiming they defended national dignity and emerged more resolute.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not appear publicly, though he has issued two pre-recorded video messages since the war began.
Bagheri was buried at Behesht Zahra cemetery on Saturday afternoon. Salami and Hajizadeh are set to be buried on Sunday.
The conflict's toll was heavy. Iran’s health ministry reported 610 killed and over 4,700 injured before a ceasefire took effect on Tuesday. Activist network HRANA reported higher figures, citing 974 dead, including 387 civilians.
In Israel, the health ministry said 28 people were killed and more than 3,200 injured.
Tensions remain high. U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that he might consider future strikes on Iran. In response, Khamenei threatened U.S. military bases in the region.
Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, said its strikes aimed to stop Iran from developing such arms. Tehran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, a claim echoed by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
U.S. electricity grid operators ramped up preventive measures on Saturday to head off rotating power cuts as a severe cold snap affecting around half ...
Tens of thousands of people accused of links to Islamic State remain detained in camps across northeast Syria, as control shifts from Kurdish forces t...
Uzbekistan has adopted new legislation regulating the use of artificial intelligence, introducing fines for the unlawful processing of personal data a...
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 23 January there are signs Israel is still seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning that such ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it goes ahead with a trade agreement with China, warning Prime...
U.S. electricity grid operators ramped up preventive measures on Saturday to head off rotating power cuts as a severe cold snap affecting around half the country put heavy strain on their systems.
Tens of thousands of people accused of links to Islamic State remain detained in camps across northeast Syria, as control shifts from Kurdish forces to the Syrian army, raising fresh legal, humanitarian and security concerns.
Uzbekistan has adopted new legislation regulating the use of artificial intelligence, introducing fines for the unlawful processing of personal data and banning legally binding decisions based solely on AI systems.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 23 January there are signs Israel is still seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning that such a move could further destabilise the Middle East.
Firefighters were clearing the charred ruins of a Karachi shopping mall in Pakistan on Tuesday (20 January) as they searched for people still missing after a fire that burned for nearly two days and killed at least 67 people, police said.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States has an "armada" heading toward Iran but hoped he would not have to use it, as he renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear programme.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that Türkiye opposes any form of foreign intervention in Iran, as protests and economic pressures continue to fuel tensions in the Islamic republic.
Iran will treat any military attack as an “all-out war,” a senior Iranian official said on Friday, as the United States moves additional naval and air assets into the Middle East amid rising tensions.
In the snowy peaks of Davos, where the world’s most powerful leaders gather for the 56th World Economic Forum, a new narrative is emerging that challenges the current dominance of artificial intelligence (AI).
Uzbekistan has adopted new legislation regulating the use of artificial intelligence, introducing fines for the unlawful processing of personal data and banning legally binding decisions based solely on AI systems.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 23 January there are signs Israel is still seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning that such a move could further destabilise the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump thanked Azerbaijan and Armenia for upholding last August’s peace deal and said Vice President J.D. Vance will visit both countries in February.
An international photography exhibition by world-renowned photojournalist Reza Deghati, known globally as REZA, is offering travellers a powerful visual introduction to Azerbaijan at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan reached $33.4m in 2025, almost three times higher than the previous year, according to data from Tajikistan’s Customs Service.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment