Former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei buried in Mashhad

Thousands gathered at the Imam Reza Mausoleum in Mashhad, Iran, to bid farewell to former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was buried in his hometown. The funeral rites commenced on July 3 in Tehran with a memorial ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries. For two days, Khamenei's coffin lay in state at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Mosque, where thousands paid their respects.

A solemn procession carried Khamenei's coffin through the capital on July 6, followed by a funeral procession in Qom. The ceremonies extended to Iraq, with the coffin transported to Najaf and Karbala, considered holy cities in Shia Islam, before returning to Iran. The extensive six-day funeral period saw significant public mourning and participation.

Following Ali Khamenei's death in air strikes, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly injured in the same attacks that claimed his father's life, has not been seen publicly since the incident. He has been issuing directives to officials and authorities in writing. Many had anticipated his presence at his father's funeral, but he remained absent from the numerous events throughout the six-day ceremony.