Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tehran to bid farewell to top Iranian military commanders and scientists who were killed during the 12-day war with Israel. The head of the Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, and other key officials were among those lost in the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended the funeral, alongside other high-ranking officials including Gen. Esmail Qaani and Gen. Ali Shamkhani. Shamkhani, who was wounded during the war, told state television that he and other generals knew they would be targets before Israel initiated the conflict.
The 12-day war saw significant damage to Iran’s nuclear program, with around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists killed, as well as eight nuclear-related facilities targeted. Iran retaliated with over 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, causing significant damage in several areas and killing at least 28 people.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has been a key player in the Middle East region since its establishment in 1979, operating alongside the country’s existing armed forces to control Iran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles. The group’s actions have drawn criticism from human rights groups, who accuse it of targeting civilians and violating international law.
With the ceasefire declaration last Tuesday, Saturday’s funeral ceremonies were the first public events for top commanders since then. Iranian state television reported that around 1 million people attended the procession, although this figure could not be independently confirmed.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was absent from the ceremony, sparking questions over his intentions and whether he will engage in talks with the US. In a post on X, Foreign Minister Araghchi hinted at possible talks, while criticizing President Trump’s tone towards Iran’s leader, calling for “a genuine deal” to be pursued.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has raised concerns about the region’s security and the potential for future tensions. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the loss of these key officials will have significant implications for Iran’s military and diplomatic landscape.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-28-2025-f53ad5751d7427deab42111e1ca7751d