Iran has begun a multi-day funeral for its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, more than four months after his death in U.S.-Israeli strikes. The ceremonies, which started on Friday, July 3, will culminate in a burial in Mashhad on July 9. Millions of mourners are expected to attend, with authorities mobilizing public and paramilitary participation to project strength amid a fragile ceasefire with the United States.
Khamenei’s body will lie in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla for three days before processions through Iran and neighboring Iraq. The funeral, initially delayed due to the war, serves as a critical test for Iran’s theocracy, assessing its ability to rally public support following nationwide protests against Khamenei’s rule. Authorities have ordered closures and traffic restrictions in Tehran to facilitate the events.
Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei’s son and successor, has not been seen in public since assuming leadership. Speculation persists over his public appearance, with some reports suggesting he remains in hiding due to injuries sustained in the February strikes. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps is leveraging the funeral to assert regional influence, with ceremonies planned in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
The funeral coincides with a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., following a preliminary deal to halt hostilities. Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, have called for national unity, framing the event as a response to foreign aggression. However, analysts note waning public support for the regime, citing economic hardship and repression.
Foreign dignitaries, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are expected to attend. The funeral’s scale and organization aim to demonstrate the Islamic Republic’s resilience, though risks of stampedes or unrest remain. The event also marks a pivotal moment in Iran’s history, with Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession signaling a potential shift in leadership dynamics.