Mourners carry the coffin of Gen. Qasem Soleimani during a funeral procession in his hometown of Kerman, Iran, on Tuesday, January 7.
In photos: Iranians mourn Qasem Soleimani
Mourners carry the coffin of Gen. Qasem Soleimani during a funeral procession in his hometown of Kerman, Iran, on Tuesday, January 7.
Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 12:54 PM EST, Tue January 7, 2020

Massive crowds have gathered in Iran this week to mourn Qasem Soleimani, the military leader who was killed in a US drone strike on January 3.

Soleimani was set to be buried Tuesday in his hometown of Kerman, Iran, but that was delayed after a stampede killed dozens of people at his funeral there, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency.

On Monday, crowds filled the streets of the Iranian capital, Tehran, to pay their respects to Soleimani and others who were killed in the drone strike.

US President Donald Trump said he authorized the strike against Soleimani because Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on Americans. The Pentagon has blamed Soleimani and his Quds Force for attacks on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months, including the December 27 strike that culminated in the deaths of an American contractor and Iraqi personnel. The Trump administration has also blamed Soleimani for the December 31 US embassy attack in Baghdad, Iraq.

Relatives of victims that were caught in a stampede wait outside a hospital in Kerman on January 7.
Relatives of victims that were caught in a stampede wait outside a hospital in Kerman on January 7.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
A portrait of Soleimani hangs outside a hospital where victims of the stampede were being treated.
A portrait of Soleimani hangs outside a hospital where victims of the stampede were being treated.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Relatives check a list of stampede victims at a hospital in Kerman.
Relatives check a list of stampede victims at a hospital in Kerman.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
A vehicle carrying Soleimani's remains makes its way through a crowd in Kerman.
A vehicle carrying Soleimani's remains makes its way through a crowd in Kerman.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Mourners view the funeral procession from a bridge in Kerman.
Mourners view the funeral procession from a bridge in Kerman.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
The coffins of Soleimani and others killed in the US airstrike are carried on a truck during the final leg of the funeral procession on January 7.
The coffins of Soleimani and others killed in the US airstrike are carried on a truck during the final leg of the funeral procession on January 7.
Erfan Kouchari/Tasnim News Agency via AP
Mourners in Kerman wear scarves depicting Soleimani.
Mourners in Kerman wear scarves depicting Soleimani.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Soleimani's funeral continued in the northeastern city of Qom on Monday, January 6.
Soleimani's funeral continued in the northeastern city of Qom on Monday, January 6.
Mehdi Marizad/Fars News/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of mourners took part in a funeral procession in Tehran on January 6.
Thousands of mourners took part in a funeral procession in Tehran on January 6.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Gen. Ismail Qaani — Soleimani's longtime lieutenant and his successor as the leader of the Quds Force — cries over Soleimani's coffin during the funeral on January 6.
Gen. Ismail Qaani — Soleimani's longtime lieutenant and his successor as the leader of the Quds Force — cries over Soleimani's coffin during the funeral on January 6.
Handout/Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Mourners hold Soleimani posters during his funeral in Tehran.
Mourners hold Soleimani posters during his funeral in Tehran.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, fourth from left, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fifth from left, attend the funeral in Tehran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, fourth from left, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fifth from left, attend the funeral in Tehran.
Handout/Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Solemani's daughter Zainab makes a speech during her father's funeral.
Solemani's daughter Zainab makes a speech during her father's funeral.
Handout/Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Crowds fill the streets of Tehran during Soleimani's funeral procession.
Crowds fill the streets of Tehran during Soleimani's funeral procession.
Handout/Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
People carry placards and flags during the funeral procession.
People carry placards and flags during the funeral procession.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Revolutionary Guard members accompany the coffins.
Revolutionary Guard members accompany the coffins.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, third from right, attends Soleimani's funeral.
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, third from right, attends Soleimani's funeral.
Handout/Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Iranians set a US and an Israeli flag on fire during the funeral procession.
Iranians set a US and an Israeli flag on fire during the funeral procession.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images