[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] The funeral of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq, was held on the morning of the 6th (local time), and the streets of downtown Tehran were paralyzed with citizens trying to attend the funeral.
Enghelab Square, the funeral venue, was already filled with a sea of black before the funeral began at 8 a.m. Citizens dressed in black clothes and chador (a cloak-like garment worn by Iranian women covering the head and body) attended the funeral with heavy and resolute expressions. Some families brought young children in strollers to attend the funeral.
Iranian state media reported, "This is the first time so many people have gathered in Tehran," stating that millions had assembled.
As the funeral atmosphere intensified, Enghelab Square turned into a sea of tears. Some citizens were sobbing, while others shouted as if in agony. The funeral was broadcast live on state television. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was seen reciting verses from the Quran in front of Soleimani's coffin, becoming tearful, and this scene was also broadcast.
The Iranian citizens gathered there shouted the slogan "Entegham (Revenge)" in unison. It is a call for revenge against the U.S., which caused Soleimani's death.
The Iranian government elevated Soleimani's funeral to a state funeral and declared the day a temporary public holiday.
Meanwhile, Esmail Ghaani, appointed as the new commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force succeeding Soleimani, announced immediately upon taking office that he would carry out "bloody retaliation" against the U.S. According to local media, at the funeral he said, "We promise to continue following the path of the martyr Soleimani," and "The only compensation for his death is to remove the U.S. from this region."
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