The supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei buried
The state funeral of the second supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei,took place throughout a week period in cities including Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, following his assassination on 28 February. It was originally scheduled to take place in Tehran and Mashhad from 4 to 6 March 2026 but was postponed due to the Iran war. It was announced later that the funeral ceremonies are scheduled for July 4–9, 2026, across Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with authorities preparing for millions of regional participants while managing significant security and logistical concerns following a lengthy delay in the announcement.[Major processions began on 3 July 2026 with large rallies and foreign participants arriving.
Background
Main article: Assassination of Ali Khamenei
Khamenei was assassinated at the onset of the 2026 Iran war on 28 February at 08:10 (IRST), at his residence in Tehran, Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting confirmed Khamenei’s death at around 05:00 (IRST) the following day. The government announced a 40-day mourning period and a week-long public holiday. Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchild were also killed in the strikes.
Khamenei was succeeded by his son Mojtaba Khamenei, following his election as Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026.
Businesses, gyms, and the Tehran Grand Bazaar have reportedly been ordered closed for parts of this period, and authorities were to shut down streets, airspace, and daily life in Tehran and Iran during the mourning events. U.S.-Iran negotiations over ending the war have paused for the week of the funeral, though both sides say some progress has been made separately.[15] Funerals are concurrent with America250 celebrations which is why ahead of the America 250 celebrations, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a one-week de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the New York Post.
Prelude
The public were expected to observe the body of Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall at the Grand Mosalla of Tehran.[17] The Fars News Agency stated that Khamenei would be buried at the Imam Reza shrine in his hometown of Mashhad.[18] However, on 18 April, the Astan Quds Razavi foundation said that the burial location had not yet been decided.
On 9 April, the fortieth-day anniversary of Khamenei’s death was marked with processions and ceremonies in Iran.
On 2 June, Iranian officials and state media announced that the funeral would take place over three days and would involve public ceremonies in several Iranian cities, including a 24-hour ceremony in Tehran. The funeral would be held on July 4th, corresponding to the 19th and 20th of Muharram and ending on July 9th, corresponding to the 24th of Muharram and the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Sajjad (AS), in the holy city of Mashhad, followed by burial at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) according to the Tasnim News.
According to statements from Iran’s official commemorative committee and ISNA, the funeral and burial ceremonies for Seyyed Ali Khamenei are scheduled to include four members of his family reported to have been killed in the same attack. The individuals named are Mesbah al-Hoda Bagheri-Kani (son-in-law), Seyyedeh Boshra Hosseini Khamenei (daughter), Zahra Haddad Adel (daughter-in-law), and Zahra Mohammad Golpayegani (granddaughter).
In the days following Khamenei’s death, claims circulated on social media alleging that his body had been temporarily buried at the Shrine of Fatima Masumeh in Qom before being transferred to Tehran for the funeral ceremonies. Officials at the shrine denied the claim, stating that it was false. On 30 June, Iman Attarzadeh, spokesperson for the funeral committee, said that Khamenei’s body and the bodies of his family members had been kept under protection in accordance with religious and legal requirements, and that they had neither been buried nor placed in safekeeping.
The Iranian government arranged 50 million loaves of bread to be provided for the funeral.The governorate of Tehran province announced that the city of Tehran is preparing 5,000 mosques and 700 schools for pilgrims. Free fiber optics internet access points were laid in 10 points to accommodate users.Grocery supermarket stores were ordered to work 24 hour a day to accommodate pilgrims. The Official Motto and logo of the funeral is “Must rise”.SAIPA company prepared to accommodate 2000 Iraqi pilgrims on facilities. 1000 tents were pitched inside Mellat Park for visitors and mourners by the red crescent.Tehran hotels were 50% off during the funerals. More than 1000 Tehran free cab vans were tasked for the events.
