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Huge crowds gather as Khamenei funeral ceremonies begin in Iran
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Huge crowds gather as Khamenei funeral ceremonies begin in Iran

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Funeral ceremonies for Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on July 4, drawing thousands of mourners.
  • Authorities anticipate 15-20 million participants in Tehran over three days for tributes to Khamenei, who died aged 86.
  • The events are being closely watched for signs of Khamenei's son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not yet appeared publicly.

Thousands of mourners carrying red banners, symbols of vengeance, gathered at Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex on July 4, 2026, for the funeral ceremonies of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. State television reported the official start of the events, which are intended to project strength to the Islamic republic's adversaries.

Iranian authorities expect between 15 and 20 million people to attend tributes in Tehran over the next three days. Khamenei, who led the country for 35 years, died at age 86 on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war with Iran. Six days of ceremonies are planned.

We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end. For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us.

— RezaA 37-year-old university professor attending the funeral ceremonies in Tehran.

The public's attention is particularly focused on Mojtaba Khamenei, the supreme leader's son and designated successor. He was named supreme leader a week after his father's killing but has yet to make a public appearance, raising questions about his standing.

I never had the chance to see the supreme leader up close, and I regret that. Today, I have come to bid him a final farewell.

— Javad AkbariA 43-year-old food-processing plant worker attending the funeral ceremonies.

Chants of "death to America" and "revenge, revenge" echoed at the venue. "We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end," said Reza, a 37-year-old university professor who gave only one name. "For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us."

Javad Akbari, a 43-year-old food-processing plant worker, expressed regret: "I never had the chance to see the supreme leader up close, and I regret that. Today, I have come to bid him a final farewell." The scale of the event, with mourners walking kilometers to reach the venue, is expected to be the largest public gathering in Iran since the 1989 funeral of Khamenei's predecessor, Ruhollah Khomeini. Significant security measures are in place, including road closures and anticipated airspace restrictions.

We want to say a final goodbye to our leader, which is why waiting like this isn’t painful or difficult for us.

— Somayye HamediA mourner speaking to AFP outside the Grand Mosalla religious complex.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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