Published on 2 April 2026
Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran for the funeral of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval commander killed in an Israeli attack, as mourners pledged unwavering resistance despite stern warnings from the United States.
The procession on Wednesday marked the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic, which was founded on April 1, 1979, following a revolution that ended the monarchy’s 2,500-year rule.
The significance of this year’s holiday has increased as Tehran has been struggling under continuous US-Israeli bombardment since February 28.
“This war has lasted for a month. No matter how long it takes, we will continue,” said pensioner Moussa Nauruzi, 57. “We will resist till the end.”
A young boy held a placard reading “Revenge” while others displayed massive Iranian flags as supporters gathered in Enghelab Square, named after the Islamic Revolution, in central Tehran.
A man cried in the arms of a woman dressed in black as the crowd chanted “God is greatest, Khamenei is the supreme leader.”
Many attendees honored relatives killed in the conflict, their faces displayed on placards, as the coffin of Commander Alireza Tangsiri was moved slowly through the gathering.
Tangsiri, one of the IRGC’s longest-serving senior figures and most prominent representatives, was considered the architect behind effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessels associated with the US and Israel during the war.
Later on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump addressed his country on television, reiterating that the war is necessary and that the US plans to “finish the job” in Iran.
Earlier, Trump had claimed that Iran’s president had requested a ceasefire, which was rejected by Tehran. Trump said the bombing will continue until Hormuz is open, free and clear.
Mourners rejected Trump’s ongoing threats. “We’ve seen Trump say things that have confused and bewildered the American people,” Homa Vossog, 36, said at the funeral. “We don’t care what their statement is and what they say.”
Mohammad Saleh Momeni, a government employee, said Trump “cannot put any of his words into practice, and we are behind our leader”.
While the US and Israel initially suggested that their aim was regime change in Iran, Trump has since remained uncertain on this position.
The air strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, along with several senior officials, yet the regime remains intact with sustained missile and drone capabilities.
Throughout Tehran, photos of the late leader and his successor, son Mojtaba, who has not yet been publicly revealed, are ubiquitous.
“They think they can do anything by killing our commanders and soldiers,” Momeni said. “They can’t do anything… These enemies of ours have the wrong idea that we will become weak.”
Yet, after anti-government protests reached their peak in January, some Iranians privately still desire political change.
