Hundreds Of Thousands Mourn Top Iranian Military Commanders And Scientists Killed In Israeli Strikes

Mourners waving Iranian flags gather at Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Street on June 28, 2025, for the state funeral procession of Iranian military commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes. The ceremony honored approximately 60 casualties from the Iran-Israel conflict. (Photo by Afshin / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by AFSHIN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funeral of top Iranian commanders and scientists killed in a 12-day war with Israel. The caskets of Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami and missile program head Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh were paraded Saturday through the city. Israel targeted Iranian military leaders, scientists, and nuclear sites, claiming to have killed 30 commanders and 11 scientists. Iran fired over 550 missiles at Israel, most were intercepted. The conflict caused over 1,000 deaths, at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Saturday marked the first public funerals since the ceasefire.