Funeral for Khamenei in Mashhad: Millions in the streets, Switzerland lowers flag to half-mast

In the streets, many mourners waved Iranian flags and red banners, which are regarded as a symbol of revenge. "Kein Kompromiss mit den Mördern", the people chanted. At a hotel named "Miami", a huge poster was visible offering a bounty on US President Trump. Near the burial site, a banner read "Kill Trump". Another sign said: "Blut wird fließen."

Shop owner Mohammed Afsharian said: "Ich weiß nicht, wie das mit der Diplomatie weitergehen soll und welche Politik dahintersteht, aber alle Menschen hier tragen rote Fahnen, weil sie Rache wollen." If Trump wanted to negotiate a deal, "muss er uns Netanyahu ausliefern", Afsharian demanded. A 35-year-old housewife said: "Es sollte überhaupt keine Kompromisse geben."

Anger and calls for revenge in the streets

During the most recent waves of protests, demonstrators repeatedly called out: "Tod dem Diktator." The unrest was directed at the country's own leadership. Mourning for Khamenei was also expressed in Iraq. At the same time, there are indications of a significant discrepancy between the official narrative and the mood among the population.

A large portion of Iran's roughly 86 million inhabitants is likely indifferent or hostile to the official mourning. During the most recent waves of protests, chants such as "Tod dem Diktator" had repeatedly been heard. Khamenei had stood at the head of the country since 1989 and was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli war against Iran on 28 February.

With temperatures of almost 40 degrees, fire trucks sprayed water on the mourners to cool them down. Shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time, the funeral procession arrived in the middle of the hottest part of the day. Mourners wept and beat their chests as Khamenei's coffin was carried through the crowd. On Khamenei's death, a woman said: "Der Verlust unseres Führers ist schwerer als der unserer Eltern."

Family and succession

Alongside Khamenei, several relatives killed in the 28 February attack were also to be buried, including his daughter, his 14-month-old granddaughter, and the wife of his son Mojtaba, who was appointed as his successor as supreme leader.

Iran's railway spoke of a "kriminellen Angriff des US-israelischen Feindes" on an important rail line. The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the attacks on rail infrastructure as an "offenkundiges Kriegsverbrechen". US attacks had paralysed an important rail line in Iran, according to reports.

Escalation in the region

Parallel to the funeral ceremonies, Iran reported attacks on a US destroyer off Bahrain. Jordan reported rocket fire from Iran. Israel rejected reports of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Palestinians are reportedly to elect a parliament for the first time since 2006. The Strait of Hormuz recorded almost no shipping traffic following the new escalation.

In Switzerland, the flag at the Federal Palace was lowered to half-mast on the occasion of the burial. The Swiss government responded with this protocol gesture, as is customary internationally, to the death of a foreign head of state. Details of coordination with neighbouring states were not initially released.

Switzerland's reaction

International diplomacy is under pressure: while the funeral ceremonies continue in Mashhad and the mood is shaped by calls for revenge, the Iranian authorities accuse the US and Israel of war crimes. Observers see the danger of further escalation in the region, particularly as the Strait of Hormuz, a central trade route for oil, is nearly blocked.

Chamenei ruled until his death with absolute severity. He had stood at the head of the country since 1989. Along with his daughter, his 14-month-old granddaughter, and his son's wife, other victims of the 28 February attack were also buried. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as his successor as supreme leader.

The reports on the funeral ceremonies are based on agencies and the Swiss broadcaster SRF. The source of the news ticker is dpa-infocom with the identifier dpa:260709-930-361792/1. Independent confirmation of the reported attendance figures and poster inscriptions is available from the cited sources.