WANA (Nov 24) – Today, Tehran witnessed the funeral ceremony of 100 soldiers from the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, whose remains were identified during search operations in recent months or handed over to Iran by Iraq. The ceremony began around 8 a.m. local time, near Enghelab Square and the University of Tehran, with large public attendance.

 

The Iran-Iraq war started on September 22, 1980, with Iraq’s attack on Iran and lasted eight years. In 1991, the UN recognized Iraq as the initiator and aggressor. This war was one of the longest regional conflicts of the twentieth century, and its effects remain in Iran’s political and social memory.

 

The ceremony coincided with the anniversary of the passing of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), the great lady of the Shiites and daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), attracting tens of thousands, including government officials, who paid respects and accompanied the soldiers’ coffins along the designated route.

People attend the funeral ceremony of 100 martyrs of the imposed war in Tehran, Iran, on December 24, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Simultaneously with the Tehran ceremony, the bodies of 200 other martyrs were also laid to rest in several Iranian provinces, including Khuzestan, Isfahan, Qom, etc.

 

At the ceremony, General Radan, commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, emphasized “national unity against regional threats,” stating that, “The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will always, with firm faith, national unity, and steadfastness against threats, defend the nation and homeland, and the enemy must know that we have a boundary, and any violation of it will be met with a crushing response.”

 

An Iranian parliament member, Mohammad Seraj, also told WANA correspondents, regarding any renewed war: “Rest assured, if they were able to wage war, they would not end it by pleading for a ceasefire. Neither Israel, with its domestic and global situation, nor the United States, with its domestic and global situation, is in a position suitable for war.”

People attend the funeral ceremony of 100 martyrs of the imposed war in Tehran, Iran, on December 24, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Other officials in other cities also noted the large turnout as a sign of public support for the country’s defense policies.

 

Among the participants, opinions were also heard regarding the possibility of a military confrontation between Iran and Israel. Some people spoke of the necessity of “standing firm against threats.” Some of the opinions in this regard, which are covered by WANA correspondents, are as follows.

 

Hana Soheili, a Tehran citizen, said: “I don’t think Israel will dare to attack Iran again, but even if it does attack, we will certainly defend ourselves and respond. We must first try to defend ourselves, and if we see that it continues, we will definitely respond—just as we acted in those 12 days(Iran-Israel war).”

 

Mahya Abdoli, another citizen, said: “Any action Israel takes is equal to the complete destruction of Israel.”

People attend the funeral ceremony of 100 martyrs of the imposed war in Tehran, Iran, on December 24, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The eight‑year war resulted in more than 200,000 dead, hundreds of thousands of wounded veterans, and extensive economic damage for Iran. Iranians refer to this war as the ‘Sacred Defense,’ because before the United States and the West entered the scene to suppress the region’s then‑dictator, Saddam Hussein, the Iranians themselves were able to stand against Saddam Hussein’s army and its allies without relying on foreign powers, and forced it to its knees.

 

The large presence of citizens at today’s ceremony is also interpreted in this context: a sign of the belief that a significant part of society still emphasizes the necessity of resisting external threats, is not afraid of fighting and being killed in defense of the homeland, and today sees itself more prepared than before for any other battle with enemies, such as a possible confrontation with Israel.