28-06-2025
Iran's illusion of strength has been irrevocably damaged
A mass funeral in Tehran for five dozen people, including senior scientists and military commanders
MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA
I n Tehran on Saturday a state funeral was held for five dozen people killed during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. They included senior military and intelligence figures, such as the heads of Iran's armed forces and Revolutionary Guards as well as nuclear scientists. More than 600 people were killed in Iran as Israel took control of its skies, compared with fewer than 30 deaths in Israel from retaliatory missile strikes.
Israel was joined in the attacks on Iran last weekend by the United States; a ceasefire followed, which has held. Since then, a debate has been raging over whether Iran's nuclear programme was obliterated, as claimed by President Trump, or set back by a few months, as early US intelligence reports suggested. The debate, which infuriated the president, is important, though Iran's foreign minister concedes 'excessive and serious' damage was done to its nuclear sites.
The debate should not detract from what has been an enormous defeat and humiliation for Iran. Yesterday's state funeral was notable for the number of senior military and security figures taken out during the conflict. Iran's 'strongman' reputation has suffered a blow from which it may never recover.
Israel and America's success in this short conflict follows setbacks for Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. It is too soon to write it off as a threat to international security but Iran will be licking its wounds for some time. And that is good news.
