Live Interview of Asia One News Network with Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Director of the Iqbal Forum, and Geopolitical Analyst, from Tehran on the Funeral Ceremony of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Martyred Leader of the Revolution

Key Messages of the Grand Funeral Ceremony

Bagheri explained the three main messages conveyed by the unprecedented public participation in the streets of Tehran as follows:

Standing Firm Against Foreign Pressure:
This massive turnout demonstrates that no foreign power can force the Iranian nation into submission through military pressure or economic sanctions.

Resilience Rooted in Religious Beliefs:
The coincidence of this ceremony with the month of Muharram symbolizes the cultural belief that martyrdom strengthens the nation’s determination and resolve.

Domestic Unity and Vision for the Future:
This display of unity reflects strong public support for the political system and, despite regional vulnerabilities, projects a stable future for the country.

Strengthening Domestic Legitimacy

National Solidarity and Popular Support:
The broad participation of the people contributes to rebuilding and reinforcing the credibility and foundations of the political system, the armed forces, and the new leadership.

Renewing Allegiance to the New Leader:
These large gatherings are regarded as a public declaration of loyalty and allegiance to Seyyed Mojtaba, the country’s new leader.

Messages and Lessons for Regional Powers

Endogenous Power:
Bagheri emphasized that regional countries are closely observing this event. The principal lesson for neighboring states is that sustainable national security and the preservation of sovereignty are achieved through domestic cohesion and popular support, rather than reliance on foreign superpowers whose backing cannot be guaranteed during times of crisis.

Iran’s Position in Negotiations and Public Demand for Revenge

The Director of the Iqbal Think Tank explained that Iran’s strategy following these ceremonies has two principal dimensions:

Consistency in Sovereign Principles:
At the strategic level, Iran’s fundamental principles remain unchanged. Iran continues to emphasize that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, that its missile capability is not negotiable, and that it will respond decisively to any aggression.

Social Dimension and the Demand for Revenge:
Public emotions and opinion have made the diplomatic environment more complex. Throughout the funeral procession, the principal slogan of the people was an explicit call for revenge. The Iranian people regard the assassination of their highest religious authority as a profound and personal loss, comparable to losing the father of a family, and they demand accountability for those responsible in order to prevent dangerous precedents. This issue adds a strong social and religious dimension to the situation and deepens the structural mistrust and hostility toward the United States.

Reason for Seyyed Mojtaba’s Absence (the New Leader)

Bagheri referred to two principal explanations that have been مطرح regarding the new leader’s absence from the public ceremony:

High Security Threats (Primary Reason):
There are serious concerns about intelligence threats and the possibility of assassination—particularly by Israeli operatives—with the aim of creating further instability in the country.

Illness and Health Condition:
There are also reports indicating that he may be absent from public appearances for at least the next two months due to illness.

In conclusion, Bagheri stated that this ceremony was far more than a simple mourning event. Rather, it was a deliberate demonstration of public support for the political system and of the collective commitment to preserving Iran’s national independence and strategic self-reliance.