Who were the military commanders and scientists honoured in Iran's 'historic' state funeral?

Iran on Saturday held a state funeral for some 60 military commanders and scientists killed in the recent conflict sparked by Israel.

The funeral was attended by thousands of mourners dressed in black, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander Esmail Qaani.

The New Arab takes a look at some of the key figures who were honoured by Iran on Saturday.

Major General Hossein Salami

IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was killed by overnight Israeli airstrikes on 13 June. A veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, Salami spent most of his career in the IRGC - a parallel military set up after the 1979 Islamic revolution to defend its goals. Salami is set to be buried on Sunday.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri

The IRGC's second‑in‑command, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, was also killed in the Israeli strikes on 13 June, alongside his wife and daughter.

Bagheri was the brother of the first head of intelligence and operations of the IRGC who was killed in the Iran-Iraq war.

Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh

Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh headed the IRGC's Aerospace Force and ballistic missile program, and was killed while meeting with other IRGC air force officials.

Brigadier General Davoud Sheikhian

IRGC Aerospace Air Defence chief Brigadier General Davoud Sheikhian was killed in the same strike on 13 June which targeted Hajizadeh and other IRGC officials.

Nuclear scientists, civilians

Nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, also killed in the attacks, will be laid to rest with his wife. Several other slain nuclear scientists were also honoured at the state funeral.

The state funeral ceremony held on Sunday also honoured four children and two women killed by the Israeli attacks.