Sat Jun 28 06:50:52 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Thousands Mourn Iranian Commanders, Scientists Killed in Conflict with Israel**

**TEHRAN, Iran – June 28, 2025** – Thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran Saturday for the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists killed during a 12-day conflict with Israel earlier this month. The caskets of Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Guard’s ballistic missile program, and others were paraded through the city as crowds chanted anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans.

The conflict, which began on June 13, 2025, saw Israel launch a military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. Israel claimed to have killed approximately 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while targeting eight nuclear-related facilities and over 720 military infrastructure sites. According to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, over 1,000 people were killed in the conflict, including at least 417 civilians.

Iran reportedly fired over 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, with some causing damage and resulting in 28 deaths. The funerals marked the first public ceremonies for top commanders since a ceasefire was declared on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Iranian state television reported that the ceremonies honored 60 people in total, including women and children.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since before the war, released a pre-recorded video message filled with threats directed towards the United States and Israel. While downplaying the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Khamenei claimed victory over Israel. However, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency Rafael Grossi has characterized the damage done by American bunker-buster bombs to Iran’s Fordo nuclear site as “very, very, very considerable.”

The conflict has further heightened tensions in the region, with Iran reiterating its stance that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Israel views the program as an existential threat and maintains its military action was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

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