Analysts believe the massive funeral will mask growing public frustration inside Iran, where years of sanctions and economic hardship have eroded support for the Islamic Republic despite the government’s calls for national unity. Follow along for the latest on the war in West Asia.
Iran is preparing for the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, with authorities expecting more than 20 million people to gather in Tehran.
The ceremony comes as senior Iranian officials harden their rhetoric; a lawmaker urged Tehran to reconsider its nuclear doctrine after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened Khamenei’s successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.
At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of showing “complete contempt for genuine peace and security in West Asia”. It urged regional countries to draw “clear lessons” from the war.
Meanwhile, analysts told Reuters the massive funeral will mask growing public frustration inside Iran, where years of sanctions and economic hardship have eroded support for the Islamic Republic despite the government’s calls for national unity.
Follow along for the latest on the US-Iran war in West Asia.