Iran’s funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has drawn millions of mourners, but not everyone is grieving. Many Iranians are angry at the spectacle, associating Khamenei with an oppressive regime that has silenced dissent over the years.

Mixed Reactions

Some Tehran residents told CNN they refused to join the crowds on the streets, feeling both frustration and indifference over the large-scale commemorations. One 30-year-old man said he was angry that the city had been shut down for someone who had ruined lives, but ultimately didn’t care.

Others took the opportunity to treat the funeral days as a holiday, with many traveling north, especially to the Caspian Sea. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported increased congestion on the Chalus Road and the Tehran–North Freeway due to heavy traffic on north-to-south routes.

Regime Unity

The funeral events have been crowded with millions of mourners who genuinely believe in the Islamic Republic’s cause. However, the absence of some former presidents at odds with the current regime has cast doubt on Tehran’s “unity” mantra.

Experts say the regime has used Khamenei’s funeral to invigorate its base, but support within the circle of leadership is likely higher than ever before. The new leader, Mojtaba, has not made a public appearance since his appointment as supreme leader following his father’s death.

The regime has arrested over 6,000 people, including protesters, journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, dissidents, and members of ethnic and religious minorities, according to a May report by Amnesty International.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.