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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
The Associated Press

AP Was There: Millions of mourners attended funeral of Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Iran Khomeini Funeral AP Was There - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: On June 6, 1989, millions of Iranians turned out in the streets to bury Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The situation quickly got out of control.

Those in the crowd beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise. Mourners rushed the casket, causing the 86-year-old religious leader's white-wrapped body to tumble out into the crowd.

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