Iran holds massive funeral for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, millions attend
Former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on 28 February in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike that sparked a regional war. His body has lain in state for three days at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla prayer complex, after which a week‑long series of funeral ceremonies began on 4 July. Millions of Iranians have gathered in Tehran, chanting “revenge” and slogans such as “death to America, Israel and Trump.” Security officials have prepared graves for up to 3,000 possible casualties, citing the risk of stampedes in extreme heat. The funeral procession will move from Tehran to the holy city of Qom, then to Iraq, before Khamenei is buried in his hometown of Mashhad at the Imam Reza shrine. Delegations from about 30 countries have arrived, including Russia (former President Dmitry Medvedev), China, Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkey and India, which thanked Iran for the “deep historical, cultural and human bonds.” New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains out of public view for security reasons, while Iranian officials use the ceremonies to project unity and resolve against perceived foreign aggressors.