Iran has commenced a multi-day funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death occurred months prior during an airstrike at the start of a war. He was 86 years old.
The ceremony included the unveiling of Khamenei’s casket at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran. The casket, placed in a glass case, attracted mourners who expressed their grief with chants of “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!” Many participants waved banners and flags, while images of Khamenei were displayed on billboards throughout the city. Attendees engaged in chest-beating, a traditional mourning ritual in Shiite funerals.
Hananeh Mousavi, a 27-year-old mourner, shared her sorrow, stating, “I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei. I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy.”
The setting for the ceremony featured a stage reminiscent of where Khamenei had previously addressed the public. This site was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike that resulted in his death on February 28, along with several family members. Their caskets were also showcased, with Khamenei’s distinguished by his black turban, signifying his descent from the Prophet Muhammad.
The Iranian government anticipated mass participation, comparing it to the scene during the 1989 burial of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Attendees received water and cold drinks to counter the summer heat.
Ali Kazemi, who traveled from Tabriz, 530 kilometers away, said, “We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion.” A significant turnout may bolster the government’s stance as it negotiates with the U.S. over ending the war and faces potential threats from Israel.
The funeral’s start coincided with July 4, the anniversary of the U.S. founding. Iranian crowds reprised chants of “Death to America,” highlighting ongoing tensions since the 1979 Revolution. U.S. President Donald Trump, during his speech in South Dakota, commented, “We knocked the hell out of Iran. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral.” In Tehran, mourners held a flag reading “#KillTrump.”
The body of Khamenei will travel to various cities in Iran and Iraq. Tehran has undergone significant disruptions, including street, airspace, and daily life closures. It remains uncertain if Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader, will attend the funeral. His late wife was among the deceased on display.
Amid ongoing threats against Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s joint military command issued a caution to Israel and the U.S., warning them “to avoid any miscalculation” in the coming days.
Reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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