Iranian crowds chant ‘death to America, Israel’ during funeral of top Army commanders and scientists k!lled in Israeli strikes

Thousands of mourners flooded the streets of Tehran for the funeral of the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and other top commanders and nuclear scientists killed during the recent 12-day war with Israel. The coffins of Gen. Hossein Salami, the Guards chief, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who headed the ballistic missile program, and others were carried on trucks along Azadi Street as crowds chanted, Death to America and Death to Israel.Salami and Hajizadeh were killed on the first day of the conflict when Israel launched strikes aimed at dismantling Irans nuclear capabilities by specifically targeting commanders, scientists, and key facilities. There was no immediate sign of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the funeral. State TV showed no images of him, although in past ceremonies, he has offered prayers over caskets in more private settings before the public processions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Gen. Esmail Qaaniwho leads the foreign operations wing, the Quds Forceand senior adviser Gen. Ali Shamkhani were among those present. Shamkhani, still recovering from injuries sustained in Israels opening attack, was shown leaning on a cane.  The Revolutionary Guard, created after Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, has evolved from a domestic security force into a regional power player, backing Tehrans allies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. It also oversees Irans ballistic missile arsenal, which was used to target Israel twice during the Gaza conflict.  Over the course of the 12-day war, Israel claimed to have killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while destroying eight nuclear-related sites and more than 700 military targets. More than 1,000 people were killed overall, including at least 417 civilians, according to Human Rights Activists, a Washington-based group.  Iran retaliated by launching more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel. Most were intercepted, but some struck populated areas, killing 28 people and causing significant damage.  The funerals marked the first major public ceremonies since the ceasefire. Iranian media reported that the ceremonies were held for 60 victims in total, including four women and four children. Government offices were closed to allow public workers to attend. Mourners carried portraits of Khamenei and the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, waved flags, and surrounded the trucks carrying flag-draped coffins. Armed guards were seen stationed on rooftops overlooking the massive procession.Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes. Israel, however, considers it an existential threat, saying its recent military campaign was necessary to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon.  Khamenei, who last appeared publicly before the war began, later released a video message filled with threats toward the US and Israel. He dismissed American airstrikes on Irans nuclear sites as largely ineffective, while Irans foes insisted the damage was significant, particularly at the Fordo facility, built deep into a mountain. The post Iranian crowds chant death to America, Israel during funeral of top Army commanders and scientists k!lled in Israeli strikes appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.