Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Wednesday for the funerals of senior military commanders and others killed during strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
The funerals were held at Enghelab Square in the center of Iran’s capital city, with mourners expressing their defiance in the face of United States and Israeli attacks.
"We are here to support the sacred Islamic Republic of Iran. We hope that with the presence of the people, the defeat of the United States and Israel will be certain, and that we will reach final victory," said one mourner.
"For the martyred Leader and commanders and for these girls whose innocent blood was shed -- our innocent youth and commanders. How dare they do this in our country? We will avenge them, and I am certain that we will be victorious," said a female mourner.
"We are here for the martyred commanders who made many sacrifices for Iran. We, the people of Iran, are indebted to these martyred commanders," said another mourner.
Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior commanders. Iran has since retaliated with waves of missiles and drone attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East.
More than 1,300 civilians have been killed and 9,669 civilian sites destroyed in Iran in nearly two weeks of military strikes, according to official data released by Iran on Tuesday.
Iran holds funeral for senior military commanders killed in war
