The final journey of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran has concluded a six-day mourning procession for its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was buried in his birthplace of Mashhad on Thursday. The ceremony marked the final journey for the leader, who had held his position for nearly 37 years.

Khamenei was killed on February 28, 2026, during a joint American-Israeli airstrike that targeted his official residence in Tehran. The attack also claimed the lives of several family members, including his 14-month-old granddaughter. The Islamic Republic has staged an extensive, multi-day ceremony to bid farewell to its long-serving revolutionary leader.

The elaborate mourning journey spanned across Iran and into Iraq, visiting locations of particular political and religious importance to the Islamic Republic. The procession began in Tehran with public viewing and a procession through the streets. It then proceeded to Qom and continued to the Shia holy sites in Iraq, including Najaf. The final burial took place at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, one of the most significant religious sites in Shia Islam.

Notably, Khamenei's burial occurred four months after his death, a significant departure from Islamic tradition, which typically calls for burial within 24 hours. Iranian authorities cited the "tense situation" and the extensive organizational efforts required for the multi-day ceremonies as reasons for the delay. The regime orchestrated this extended period to ensure the continuity of the mourning events and accommodate the expected large numbers of attendees.