Large crowds gathered in Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorities estimating attendance in the millions. The procession saw Khamenei's casket and those of four family members carried through the Iranian capital, while mourners lined major roads leading from Azadi (Freedom) Square.
Among the crowds, many mourners were seen carrying red flags, drawing international attention and prompting questions about their significance.
The red flags displayed during the funeral are widely associated with martyrdom in Shia Islam and are also regarded as symbols of justice and, in some contexts, revenge. Many of the banners bore the Arabic phrase "Ya Litharat al Hussein" ("O avengers of Hussein"), a slogan deeply rooted in Shia religious tradition.
The phrase refers to the seventh-century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed during the Battle of Karbala. The event is a defining moment in Shia Islam and commemorates the struggle against injustice and oppression. Historically, the red flag has symbolised that innocent blood has been unjustly shed and that justice has yet to be achieved.
The banner is commonly displayed during Muharram, the annual period of mourning observed by Shia Muslims. Religious scholars and Iranian media have also described it as representing the pursuit of justice and, in certain circumstances, a call for accountability against those viewed as responsible for the deaths of martyrs.
While the red flag is recognised across the Shia Muslim world as a religious symbol, Iranian authorities have also used it in the context of contemporary political and military events.
The banner was prominently displayed following the 2020 killing of senior Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, where it was presented by Iranian officials as a symbol of martyrdom, resistance and a commitment to retaliation. Images released through Khamenei's official social media accounts also showed the flag draped over his casket.
Earlier this year, the same red banner was raised over the Jamkaran Mosque, one of Iran's prominent religious sites, following reports of Khamenei's death. The gesture was widely interpreted by Iranian state media as representing justice and remembrance for those considered martyrs.
During the funeral ceremonies at Tehran's Grand Mosalla and along the funeral procession, some mourners were heard chanting slogans directed against the United States and Israel, including calls targeting U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
State media also reported that people gathered at Imam Hussein Square, where an effigy of Trump was displayed.
Individual mourners expressed support for continuing Khamenei's political legacy and called for retaliation against those they blamed for his death. These remarks reflected the views of those quoted and should not be interpreted as representing all attendees or the broader Iranian public.
The funeral combined religious symbolism with political messaging, highlighting how historical Shia imagery continues to play a role in contemporary Iranian state ceremonies and public demonstrations.
Sources: Hindustan Times