Hamas, Hezbollah reps attend Khamenei funeral; US labels groups 'terrorist'

Representatives from Iran-backed armed groups Hamas and Hezbollah attended the state funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media reported that they also met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Tehran has long supported Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen's Houthi rebels, groups designated as "terrorist" by the United States. This support has resulted in international sanctions against Iran.

Hezbollah was represented by senior figures including former minister Mohamed Fneish and several lawmakers, according to Al Manar TV. Hamas sent members of its political bureau, including its chief Mohamed Darwish, to the funeral.

Khamenei died on February 28, along with family members and other officials, during the first day of a joint Israeli-American offensive against Tehran that ignited a regional war. Foreign dignitaries paid tribute to Khamenei, who led Iran for nearly 37 years and had the final say on major state decisions. Crowds gathered at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran to bid farewell to the Ayatollah.

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Representatives of the armed groups Hezbollah and Hamas, backed by Tehran, attended the state funeral of the former supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi.