Massive crowds gathered in Tehran on Saturday for the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This marks the start of a weeklong mourning period aimed at showcasing the strength and resilience of the Islamic Republic. The 86-year-old leader’s coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was placed inside a glass case at the Grand Mosalla, a large mosque and prayer complex in central Tehran. The coffins of his family members, who died with him in a conflict with the U.S. and Israel four months ago, were also present.
Mourners, dressed in black, began assembling in the early morning hours following a call from the country’s leaders to show support. By sunrise, the crowd swelled to tens of thousands. Inside the Grand Mosalla, a large banner depicted Khamenei as a martyr. The mourners, many waving Iranian flags, expressed their grief by wailing and beating their chests.
Altaf Qadri, photographer, captured the scene on Saturday at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque. Roads near the funeral site were closed, leading many to walk, while loudspeakers played religious music across the capital. Supporters from across the country waved national flags, showing increased nationalist sentiment since the conflict began.
Chants of “revenge, revenge” and “We will kill, we will kill, he who killed our Imam” were heard. As temperatures hit 93 degrees, water was misted from rooftops to cool the crowd. Organizers expect even larger gatherings on Monday when Khamenei’s casket will be carried through Tehran’s streets. An estimated 15 to 20 million people might gather, potentially making it one of the largest funerals for a global leader.
Khamenei’s funeral, delayed due to conflict, was attended on Friday by Iranian officials and foreign dignitaries. His successor, Mojtaba, who was injured in the attack that killed his father, is not expected to attend the events. A diplomatic source confirmed Mojtaba’s injuries, though details remain unclear.
Senior Iranian figures and foreign dignitaries, including former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and delegations from China, Turkey, and other nations, attended initial proceedings. The ceremony, also attended by the lead negotiator in U.S. talks, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, aimed to demonstrate Iran’s resilience against oppression.
Security remains a concern, as militant groups have targeted funerals of prominent figures before. In 2024, a large gathering in Kerman for Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s anniversary was attacked, resulting in numerous casualties. Tehran’s mayor has stated that up to 20 million people could attend the event.
The funeral will continue with events in Qom on Tuesday and in Iraq on Wednesday, highlighting Iran’s regional influence. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aims to showcase its regional power. Khamenei’s burial will take place in Mashhad, his hometown and a notable Shiite religious site.
Richard Engel, Babak Dehghanpisheh, and Freddie Clayton provided reports from Tehran, New York, and London, respectively.
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