• Massive crowds gather in Tehran for the funeral of Ali Khamenei, as mourners call for vengeance against US President Trump.
• The week-long ceremonies have sparked criticism over spending amid Iran's ongoing economic challenges.
• Khamenei's successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains absent from public view during the proceedings.
• Funeral events include a procession through Tehran, with calls for punishment against perceived aggressors.
• Authorities utilized state resources to facilitate and mobilize attendance, leading to public debate on the effectiveness of these measures.

The funeral procession for Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, observed monumental crowds in Tehran, with many mourners using the occasion to express their anger towards US President Donald Trump. As Khamenei's coffin was paraded through the city, chants for revenge echoed within the crowd. The funeral serves not only as a mourning event but as a demonstration of Iran's perceived resilience in the face of ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, according to SCMP, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.

The turnout was profoundly remarkable, following two days of Khamenei lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, accompanied by substantial state mobilization efforts. Helicopter footage showed an extensive crowd spread over kilometers, with visual reports stating that attendance appeared greater than other recent ceremonies, including that of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.

However, the lavish nature of the funeral has drawn scrutiny, as many Iranians questioned the substantial public expenditures involved while the nation grapples with economic difficulties like inflation and increasing living costs. Critics noted that despite a substantial push for attendance from authorities, the actual participation might not have matched expectations, sparking debates on social media regarding the effectiveness of organized mobilization and use of public funds, according to India Times.

Amidst the death of Khamenei, the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been notably absent from these crucial ceremonies, reportedly to avoid detection and potential assassination threats following the airstrike that killed his father. His invisibility in the public sphere raises speculations regarding Iran's internal dynamics and responses to external pressures, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and Al Jazeera.

As the ceremony progresses, authorities continue to assert the theme of retribution against the US and Israel, which aligns with historical sentiments that have characterized Iran's foreign policy. The calls for revenge have become conspicuously louder during the funeral, intertwining national mourning with expressions of anger and defiance, as noted by SCMP and India Times.