By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Thousands of Iranians gathered on Thursday to honor former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 during US-Israel attacks on Iran. The rallies also criticized peace talks planned in Pakistan this week.

Supporters carried Khamenei’s portraits and waved Iranian flags in Tehran, Urmia, and Gorgan. The gatherings marked the 40-day mourning period, an important Islamic tradition.

Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, was 86. His son Mojtaba, now the new leader, has not appeared publicly since being wounded in the attack. President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the Tehran tribute.

Participants called the killing “cowardly” and said the US cannot be trusted. Many urged Iran’s leaders to respond firmly to the attacks.

The February 28 strikes killed Khamenei and dozens of top officials, starting a wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran and allied groups have since launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf countries, while mourning casualties in Lebanon.

Source: The Korea Times