Iran begins dayslong funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Tehran has launched a state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following his death in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike. The ceremony serves as a public demonstration of resolve during ongoing efforts toward a settlement.
Iran’s capital erupted in a sea of flags, chants and rain‑cooled crowds on Saturday as the country launched a days‑long state funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose death on 28 February in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike launched the current war. The ceremony, timed to begin on 4 July — the 250th anniversary of the United States — signifies the regime’s first public rally since the cease‑fire‑breakthrough that could pave the way to a permanent settlement, and it offers a rare window into how Tehran hopes to marshal popular support for its negotiating leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
From the Grand Mosalla to Mashhad: the funeral itinerary
- 4 July – 6 July: The body lies in state behind glass at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran.
- 7 July: A second ceremony in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran.
- 9 July: Burial in his hometown of Mashhad at the Imam Reza shrine.
Thousands of mourners, a symbolic battlefield
At the Grand Mosalla, Khamenei’s casket, topped with his black turban identifying him as a descendant of the Prophet, sat beneath the coffins of his son‑in‑law, eldest daughter, a 14‑month‑old granddaughter and the wife of his successor, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. “I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei,” said 27‑year‑old Hananeh Mousavi, weeping beside her mother. “I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy.” AP News captured her words.
Media additions
From the north‑western city of Tabriz, 530 kilometers away, Ali Kazemi declared, “We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion.” Santafé New Mexican reported his sentiment.
Political undercurrents and foreign eyes
Top officials, including Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, walked past the casket, while a military band provided solemn accompaniment, according to Npr. The presence of senior Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, appearing publicly for the first time in months, was highlighted by South China Morning Post, which noted his remarks about “pure blood” marking a turning point for Islam.
Volunteer Mohammad Hossein Rezaei, speaking to state media, warned, “As long as these people, who are chosen (by God), are on the field, we will definitely continue the same ‘no to humiliation’ policy that was founded by the Islamic Republic.” He added, “We will continue our policy of pursuing independence, and decisions will be made inside the country, the people will decide their own fate.” NPR recorded the statement.
Symbolism, slogans and the risk of chaos
Billboards plastered with Khamenei’s image dotted Tehran, while mourners beat chests, a traditional Shia expression of grief. Red flags bearing the Shiite phrase “Ya Hussein” fluttered alongside banners chanting “Death to America” and “We must rise.” A large flag reading “#KillTrump” was also displayed, echoing the anti‑U.S. Sentiment that resurged alongside President Donald Trump’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday at Mount Rushmore, where he quipped, “We knocked the hell out of Iran.” AP News recorded the exchange.
Authorities have shut down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran, and are spraying water and handing out cold drinks to mitigate the summer heat. The 1989 Khomeini funeral saw the casket fall into the crowd, killing at least eight and injuring thousands, as recounted by the Independent. The 2020 stampede at General Qassem Soleimani’s burial killed dozens.
Uncertainty around the new supreme leader
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the previous leader, has remained out of public view, reportedly wounded in the February strike. State television aired his first message, describing his father’s body with a raised, clenched fist, a symbol echoed on banners and a massive statue in Enghelab Square surrounded by missile‑shaped graphics. Israel’s repeated threats to target Mojtaba have prompted Iran’s joint military command to warn both Israel and the United States to “avoid any miscalculation” in the days ahead, per the AP report.
