Military-Led Funeral for Ali Khamenei Begins in Tehran City

Tehran, Iran – Public Viewing at Grand Mosalla

The body of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is lying in state inside a large hall in Tehran, where top Iranian officials and foreign delegations have gathered to pay their respects. The ceremonies mark the beginning of a week-long national mourning period.

On Friday, black-clad mourners carried his coffin through Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex. The casket, covered with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, was displayed before large crowds. Khamenei had led the country for more than three decades.

Funeral Procession and Family Members Killed in Strike

Alongside his coffin were the remains of his three-year-old granddaughter, eldest daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. All were killed in a strike on February 28, 2025, during a 12-day war involving the United States and Israel, according to state-linked reports.

The funeral had originally been planned for March but was postponed due to the ongoing conflict.

Iranian Leaders and Officials Pay Tribute in Tehran

State television showed Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian paying respects at the coffin, joined by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Ahmad Vahidi, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also appeared publicly for the first time since the war began.

Foreign Delegations and Global Attendance

Authorities reported that more than 50 foreign delegations have already attended the ceremonies. Iranian officials said the government did not invite several European countries, stating that invitations were limited to neutral or friendly nations.

According to reports, attendees include leaders such as the presidents of Iraq, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia, along with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Read More: General Ahmad Vahidi Emerges as Tehran Prepares for Khamenei's Weeklong Funeral

Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah was also present at the ceremony in Tehran.

Massive Public Mourning Expected Across Iran and Iraq

Iranian authorities expect millions of people to participate in mourning processions over the coming days. Public gatherings are planned across Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad.

Officials expect a large turnout similar to the 1989 funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, which drew millions of mourners.

Funeral Route and Final Burial Plans

The week-long ceremonies will include a public event in Tehran on Saturday, followed by processions through key religious cities in Iran and Iraq. The final burial is scheduled to take place in Mashhad next week, the birthplace of Khamenei and home to the shrine of the eighth Shia Imam.

Symbolism and National Messaging

State media broadcast images of banners and large displays showing Khamenei alongside military imagery in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. Officials described the ceremonies as a display of national unity during a sensitive political moment following the war.

According to analysts cited in Iranian media, the funeral is being presented as a message of resilience and stability, with officials claiming the country has strengthened despite external pressure.