Iran kicked off a massive state funeral procession for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 4 in Tehran, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners into the streets.
Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during the opening strikes of a US-Israeli military campaign. His death was officially confirmed on March 1, triggering 40 days of national mourning and setting in motion the elaborate, multi-city funeral now unfolding.
A funeral designed to project power
The procession spans multiple cities, including Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad, with ceremonial activities extending to Najaf and Karbala in neighboring Iraq. The burial is scheduled for July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Estimates suggest attendance could reach into the millions. The Iranian government has arranged transportation, food, and lodging for participants traveling from across the country.
