Iran has commenced public mourning for its former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February. The mourning period began on July 3, 2026, with funeral processions expected to attract between 12 to 20 million people across the nation. The ceremonies are being described by Iranian authorities as the "funeral of the century" as the country navigates a delicate ceasefire with the United States.
Details of the Funeral Arrangements
Khamenei's body is currently lying in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla, where it will remain for three days. The official funeral ceremony is set for Saturday, with the Mohammad Rasulullah Corps overseeing the proceedings. Attendees will have the opportunity to pay their respects at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla starting at 06:00 on Saturday.
The funeral events will feature Khamenei's coffin displayed prominently on an elevated platform, allowing for crowd management that enables visitors to enter and exit within 15 to 20 minutes. Following the ceremonies in Tehran, the funeral will proceed to Qom and then to Najaf, Iraq, before Khamenei is buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 13.
International Presence at the Funeral
Notable figures attending the ceremonies include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Their presence underscores the international significance of Khamenei's leadership in the region.
