Iran: Hundreds of thousands gather for funeral in Tehran January 6 /update 2

Event

Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in the streets of Tehran on Monday, January 6, as Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei read funeral prayers for General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both of whom were killed in a US air strike in Baghdad on January 3. On Tuesday, January 7, the funeral procession will move to Soleimani's hometown of Kerman, where he will be laid to rest.

Large gatherings, heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions are to be expected in the vicinity of all related processions and events. Other public and commemorative events may be held in the capital Tehran and other major urban areas throughout the country in the coming days.

Context

Soleimani was killed along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and six other individuals while traveling near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) on January 3. According to the US Department of Defense, Soleimani was “actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.”

Advice

Individuals in Iran are advised to monitor developments to the situation, respect local customs, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, anticipate heightened security measures, and transportation disruptions near associated events, and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution.