TEHRAN — Iran on Friday began official state funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with senior government officials, foreign dignitaries and delegations from dozens of countries expected to attend the multi-day mourning events.
According to Iranian authorities, the ceremonies will open in Tehran before concluding with Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad. Millions of mourners are expected to participate in funeral processions and religious observances over the coming days, making it one of the largest state ceremonies in the country’s recent history.
Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades, shaping the country’s domestic politics, foreign policy and security strategy. During his tenure, Iran maintained a confrontational relationship with the United States and Israel while expanding its regional influence through allied groups across the Middle East.
The funeral comes four months after Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli military strike, an event that triggered a major leadership transition in Iran and heightened tensions across the region.
The ceremonies are taking place amid continuing regional instability, with diplomatic efforts under way to prevent further escalation following months of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Analysts say the funeral is expected to serve not only as a national day of mourning but also as a demonstration of the Islamic Republic’s political continuity following the change in leadership.
