Iran has buried its longest-serving leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a historic week that has seen widespread mourning and anger. The government claimed that over 10 million mourners attended the funeral events, with hundreds of thousands flooding the streets of Tehran for the funeral procession.
US Airstrikes in Retaliation
The US has launched airstrikes across Iran in retaliation for Iranian strikes on civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The airstrikes have been met with a sense of tired resignation in Tehran, with many fearing for their safety.
The funeral events were highly emotional, with many mourners expressing their grief and anger. Some called for vengeance against the US, with one young woman saying, “We have come here to avenge the blood of our leader, and not for one second will we put this aside.”
Economic Hardships
Iran is currently struggling with economic hardships, including unemployment and inflation. The country is also facing a monthslong internet shutdown, which has strangled parts of the economy.
Despite the challenges, many Iranians remain loyal to the government and are opposed to any deal with the US. The US has repeatedly called for regime change in Iran, but the funeral events have shown that the government still has significant support.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.