Printed On 2 Apr 2026
Hundreds of Iranians gathered in Tehran for the funeral of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander, killed in an Israeli strike, with mourners pledging unwavering resistance regardless of stern warnings from the USA.
The procession on Wednesday coincided with the forty seventh anniversary of the Islamic Republic, established on April 1, 1979, following the revolution that ended the monarchy’s 2,500-year reign.
This yr’s vacation carried heightened significance as Tehran struggles underneath steady US-Israeli bombardment since February 28.
“This struggle has lasted a month. Nevertheless lengthy it takes, we’ll proceed,” stated Moussa Nowruzi, a 57-year-old pensioner. “We’ll resist till the top.”
A younger boy held an indication studying “Revenge”, whereas others displayed huge Iranian flags as supporters stuffed Enghelab Sq. – named for the Islamic revolution – in central Tehran.
Among the many crowd chanting “God is best, Khamenei is the supreme chief”, a person wept within the arms of a black-clad lady.
Many attendees honoured kinfolk killed within the battle, their faces displayed on placards, as commander Alireza Tangsiri’s coffin moved slowly by the gathering.
Tangsiri, one of many IRGC’s longest-serving senior figures and most distinguished representatives, was thought-about the architect behind successfully closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessels aligned with the US and Israel throughout the struggle.
Afterward Wednesday, US President Donald Trump addressed his nation on tv, reiterating that struggle is critical and the US plans to “end the job” in Iran.
Earlier, Trump had claimed Iran’s president requested a truce, which Tehran denied. Trump stated bombardment would proceed till the Hormuz “is open, free, and clear”.
Mourners dismissed Trump’s ongoing threats. “We’ve got seen Trump say issues that even the American individuals are confused and bewildered by,” stated Homa Vosoogh, 36, on the funeral. “We don’t care what his assertion is and what he says.”
Mohammad Saleh Momeni, a authorities worker, stated Trump “can’t put any of his phrases into observe, and we’re behind our chief”.
Whereas the US and Israel initially recommended their goal was regime change in Iran, Trump has since vacillated on this place.
Air strikes killed Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, together with quite a few senior officers, but the governing system stays intact with continued missile and drone capabilities.
All through Tehran, portraits of the late chief and his successor, son Mojtaba, who has but to look publicly, are omnipresent.
“They assume that they will do something by killing our commanders and troopers,” stated Momeni. “There may be nothing they will do … These enemies of ours have a false concept that we are going to grow to be weak.”
Nonetheless, following antigovernment protests peaking in January, some Iranians privately nonetheless need political change.
