Iran Begins Final Farewell To Ali Khamenei As Massive State Funeral Gets Underway | First Visuals

Last Updated:July 03, 2026, 17:40 IST

Iran has begun the state funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, with millions expected to attend week-long ceremonies ending with his burial in Mashhad.

Iran on Friday began the state funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking the start of a week-long farewell expected to become one of the largest public funeral ceremonies in the country’s history. The visuals from Tehran showed Khamenei’s coffin arriving at the venue of the farewell ceremony, where senior officials, families of those killed in the conflict, and foreign delegations gathered to pay their respects.

According to Iranian state media, the coffin was brought to the site of Khamenei’s death during an unannounced ceremony before being moved to the farewell venue near the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah in Tehran. The coffin is being displayed alongside those of several members of his family who were killed in the same strike.

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The public mourning ceremonies are expected to draw millions of people from across Iran, with authorities making extensive security and logistical arrangements. Public transport services have been expanded, traffic restrictions imposed across parts of Tehran, and schools, mosques and public facilities opened to accommodate visitors arriving from different provinces.

The funeral comes more than four months after Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, the opening day of the conflict between Iran and Israel. Iranian authorities had postponed the funeral because of the continuing hostilities and security concerns, preserving his body in refrigerated storage until conditions allowed for a large public ceremony.

The farewell ceremonies will continue over the coming days, beginning in Tehran before moving to the holy city of Qom. Memorial events are also planned in the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala before the final burial in Mashhad, Khamenei’s hometown, where he will be laid to rest near the shrine of Imam Reza.

Representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the ceremonies. India is being represented by Bihar Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, while senior representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan and several regional countries are also expected in Tehran.

Iran’s current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is not expected to appear during the ceremonies because of heightened security concerns. Meanwhile, Iranian military officials have warned the United States and Israel against any action during the funeral period, saying any fresh attack would invite a strong response.

News world Iran Begins Final Farewell To Ali Khamenei As Massive State Funeral Gets Underway | First Visuals

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