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Millions of people are estimated to be participating in the multiday state funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Iran this week. After ruling the Islamic Republic of Iran for over three dozen years, Khamenei was killed by a joint Israeli-U.S. airstrike on February 28. Now viewed as a martyr by both his religious base and the wider Iranian public, Khamenei has taken on a “new identity” as “the leader of the resistance movement, the leader in the fight against U.S. imperialism,” says Tehran-based journalist Reza Sayah, who has been reporting on the funeral proceedings. Sayah also discusses the absence of Khamenei’s son and chosen successor Mojtaba Khamenei from the public eye, the Iranian government’s position on the thousands of protesters killed by security forces in the early months of 2026 and more.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: Millions of Iranians have attended funeral proceedings for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in a joint Israeli-U.S. airstrike in February along with four members of his family — his daughter, his son-in-law, his daughter-in-law and 14-month-old granddaughter. His son, who’s been named the new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remained out of public view, but three of Khamenei’s sons, who had not been seen since the U.S. and Israel launched the war, attended the funeral. After days of mourning in Tehran, the supreme leader’s body arrived in the holy city of Qom on Monday before it will be brought to other holy sites.

This is a 29-year-old law student and mourner in Tehran, Atefe Sadri.

ATEFE SADRI: [translated] Just as I feel this way, I hear the same from people around me whose style of dress and level of religious observance differ from mine. Ayatollah Khamenei’s death has affected them deeply. I used to say to myself I wish circumstances had been different, so that such beautiful things could have happened while he was still alive and in his presence. But through his passing, the leader has given every Iranian a gift, a change in our people’s way of life and outlook. Among people my age, I can see that many people have become more devoted to the leader and to the Ahl al-Bayt, the prophet’s family. Related Story News | Human Rights Israel and Lebanon Sign Framework Agreement That Marks Capitulation to Israel The agreement is “impossible to successfully implement” and concedes to Israel’s military occupation, said an expert. By Shireen Akram-Boshar , Truthout June 30, 2026 Truthout

ATEFE SADRI: [translated] Just as I feel this way, I hear the same from people around me whose style of dress and level of religious observance differ from mine. Ayatollah Khamenei’s death has affected them deeply. I used to say to myself I wish circumstances had been different, so that such beautiful things could have happened while he was still alive and in his presence. But through his passing, the leader has given every Iranian a gift, a change in our people’s way of life and outlook. Among people my age, I can see that many people have become more devoted to the leader and to the Ahl al-Bayt, the prophet’s family.

Israel and Lebanon Sign Framework Agreement That Marks Capitulation to Israel

AMY GOODMAN: On Monday, President Trump renewed his threats to attack Iran, warning Tehran to reach an agreement or see the U.S., quote, “finish the job.” In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations on a final deal will not commence as long as threats continue.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reportedly fired missiles at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz overnight. The British Navy reports a Qatari tanker carrying liquefied natural gas caught fire after it was struck. A Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker was also reportedly hit. The ships were attempting to pass through a channel closer to Amman, bypassing Iranian-controlled waters.

For more, we go to Iran, to the capital, Tehran, where we’re joined by Reza Sayah, freelance journalist based in Tehran, where he’s reporting on the funeral of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for PBS and France 24.

Reza, thanks so much for being with us. Can you explain the significance of this moment and the millions of people who have come out?

REZA SAYAH: Yeah, and I think it had religious significance. It had political significance. And, you know, what a statement by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the world and the Iranian people. This was the largest crowd, the largest gathering I’ve ever seen. It was a show of unity. It was a show of devotion. And what was remarkable is the diversity of people that we saw out there. We just heard from one of the people, one of the mourners who attended the funeral, and that’s what I saw, as well, over these three people.

There were certainly mourners who were there for religious reasons. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the late supreme leader, was their........

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