The third stage of the multi-phase funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, was held in Tehran today, July 6.
The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that although the official ceremony was scheduled to commence at 6:00 AM, the convoy carrying Khamenei’s body did not enter the procession route until roughly 7:30 AM. Despite the delay, state media’s live broadcasts heavily emphasized images of massive crowds mobilized along the transit lines to showcase widespread public alignment with the ruling system.
According to domestic reports, the sprawling procession route began at the Tehranpars Intersection in eastern Tehran, cutting entirely across the capital via Damavand Street, Imam Hossein Square, Enqelab (Revolution) Street, Enqelab Square, Azadi (Freedom) Square, Azadi Street, and the Shahid Lashkari Highway. State outlets noted that the heavily fortified vehicle transporting the late leader’s casket was briefly brought to a complete standstill at various chokepoints due to the density of the crowds.
To facilitate the movement of the large mechanized convoy, the Tehran Municipality completely dismantled primary public transit infrastructure in the days leading up to the event. City workers demolished the concrete barriers and steel dividers separating the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes along a major stretch of Azadi Street, specifically from Behboudi Street to Azadi Square, a move officially framed by authorities as “corridor optimization.”
