Arabic version: طهران تستضيف جنازة القائد الأعلى المقتول خامنئي
The funeral procession for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has begun in Tehran, drawing large crowds as authorities prepare for an event reminiscent of the massive turnout for his predecessor nearly four decades ago. According to Al Jazeera, Khamenei’s body was displayed at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex for two days prior to the procession, following his killing on the first day of the United States-Israel war on Iran.
The procession began on Monday, with state broadcaster IRIB reporting that thousands of mourners lined the streets to pay their respects. Authorities are on high alert to prevent a repeat of the chaos experienced during the 1989 funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini, which resulted in fatalities and injuries among the estimated 10 million attendees.
Khamenei was killed alongside four family members in air strikes on February 28. Following the Tehran procession, similar events are scheduled in Qom on July 7, 2026, and in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on July 8, 2026. The funeral proceedings will culminate in Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9, 2026.
As the procession unfolds, mourners are seen carrying portraits of both Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is now recognized as Iran’s new supreme leader. The atmosphere is charged with emotion as the nation comes together to honor the deceased leader.
