Iran Begins Week of Funeral Ceremonies for Slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The body of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lies in state in Tehran, marking the start of a week of funeral ceremonies on July 3, 2026. Thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects, following Khamenei's assassination during a US-Israeli military operation on February 28. The ceremonies are set to culminate in a public burial next week.

Funeral Processions and Public Mourning

On the first day of the ceremonies, mourners carried Khamenei’s coffin at the Grand Mosalla religious complex, draped in the national flag of Iran. Authorities anticipate that the public mourning will attract millions, echoing the 1989 funeral of Khamenei’s predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which was attended by an estimated 10 million people.

“Iranians are saying they did not extend invitations to European countries or those who have directly or indirectly supported the Israeli and American military campaign on Iran,” reported Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar Atas. World leaders from neutral or friendly nations are expected to attend, with over 50 delegations already having paid their respects.

International Attendance at the Ceremonies

Notable attendees include the presidents of Iraq, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia, along with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Iranian government has emphasized the symbolic importance of the funeral, projecting unity in the face of external threats.

“Following the assassination of the supreme leader, the government did not fall but became stronger,” stated Abas Aslani, senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies. The event is seen as a demonstration of national solidarity against perceived aggression from the US and Israel.

Locations and Cultural Significance of the Ceremonies

The funeral processions will traverse significant religious sites, including the city of Qom, known for its clerical education, and the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. The final leg will conclude in Mashhad, the birthplace of Khamenei and home to the tomb of the eighth imam of Shia Islam.

As part of the mourning rituals, mourners have thrown scarves for attendees to brush against Khamenei’s coffin, a practice viewed as a blessing. The casket is adorned with a flag featuring the phrase “Ya Hussein,” a Shia expression commemorating the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.

• Funeral ceremonies started on July 3, 2026.
• Public mourning expected to attract millions.
• Over 50 international delegations attending.
• Final ceremonies will take place in Mashhad.