Millions gather in Iran for funeral of assassinated supreme leader

Millions gather in Iran for funeral of assassinated supreme leader

Iran began a week-long series of funeral ceremonies on Saturday, July 4, 2026, for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The official events commenced at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where authorities displayed the 86-year-old cleric's body in a glass case. Iranian officials expect between 15 and 20 million people to participate in ceremonies throughout the capital to demonstrate national resilience and unity.

Khamenei was killed on February 28 during US and Israeli airstrikes in Tehran. The strikes also killed members of his family, including his daughter, a son-in-law, and his 14-month-old granddaughter, Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani. The caskets of these family members were placed beneath that of the Supreme Leader, whose coffin featured a black turban. The funeral was delayed until now as the war in Iran continued.

Crowds at the Grand Mosalla engaged in rhythmic chest-beating and chanted slogans such as Death to America! and Revenge! Revenge! Some mourners carried red banners and flags, which are symbols of vengeance. Others held a large flag reading #KillTrump. One attendee, 27-year-old Hananeh Mousavi, told reporters,

"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."

Hananeh Mousavi, mourner, via NPR

The start of the funeral coincided with July 4, the 250th anniversary of the United States. In South Dakota, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed a gathering at Mount Rushmore, stating,

"We knocked the hell out of Iran. They're dying to settle. They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral because we're nice."

Donald Trump, U.S. President, via LiveMint

Foreign delegations attended the Friday viewing. These included Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and several other senior Pakistani officials. Other attendees included Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, and Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa. Representatives from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Taliban administration of Afghanistan were also present. However, no major world leader seems to be attending the funeral and burial of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran; Russia, China, India, and Turkey sent only lower-level officials.

Inside Iran, the event saw high-level officials paying their respects in tears, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Major General Mohsen Rezaei. But not all reactions were mournful. Some citizens expressed anger over the cost of the week-long event, claiming the government ordered companies in the industrial zone to provide food and drinks at their own expense.

The transition of power remains a point of tension. It is unclear if the new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei—whose wife was among those killed on February 28—will appear publicly. He has not done so since his appointment. In response to Israeli threats against Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's joint military command warned the US and Israel to avoid any miscalculation.

Iran's acting defense minister, Majid Ebn al-Reza, stated on state TV that the Islamic Republic can negotiate and confront adversaries simultaneously. He warned that any new mischief would be met with a harsher response and that Iranian forces are at their highest level of readiness during a 60-day period set under an understanding with the US.

The diplomatic fallout continued at the United Nations, where Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for expressing condolences to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Danon questioned if it was appropriate to mourn a brutal dictator.

The funeral itinerary involves the coffin remaining in Tehran until Monday before a citywide procession. It will then travel to Qom and the holy Shia cities of Iraq. The final burial is scheduled for Friday, July 9, at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.