Iranians wave 'blood flags of revenge' at former leader's funeral

Thousands of Iranians beat their chests, waved flags symbolizing revenge, and chanted slogans for retribution during the funeral of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

From early morning on 4/7, large crowds of Iranians converged on the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran to bid farewell to former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Attendees continuously waved red flags and chanted slogans for revenge.

According to Iranian tradition, the red flag symbolizes a call for justice and revenge, often associated with warfare and those killed in combat.

The sentiment of retribution was palpable. "We are here not just for the funeral, but to seek revenge for the former leader. We will never forget his spilled blood, which marks a crucial boundary," a eulogist at the ceremony declared. Hamidreza Shabani, an 18-year-old student, echoed this, stating that all Iranians "will avenge the leader's blood by God's will."

Iranians raise flags symbolizing revenge while bidding farewell to former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Video: X/@PresstvExtra

Khamenei's coffin, draped with the Iranian flag, was placed on a high platform inside the Grand Mosque. It lay beside the coffins of his family members, who were also killed in an airstrike carried out by the US and Israel on 28/2.

Many mourners carried photos of Mojtaba Khamenei, who was elected to succeed his father in early March but has not yet appeared publicly. Some also displayed the yellow flag of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.

Iranians wave red flags, symbols of revenge, at Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran on 4/7. Photo: AFP

"We are here because we promised the supreme leader that we would stand by him until the end. We are all here for him. We have long chanted slogans that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it is he who sacrificed for us," said Reza, a 37-year-old university professor.

The funeral for Khamenei spanned one week, commencing on 4/7, and traversed five cities for commemoration. Iran mobilized a massive logistical operation for this extended funeral, aiming to display its strength and send a strong message to its adversaries.

Iranian officials predicted between 4 million and 15 million people would attend, potentially making it the largest funeral in modern history. They also announced that up to 14,000 reporters, including 900 foreign journalists, would cover the event.