Iran holds funeral for late Supreme Leader drawing millions

A week-long series of funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on Saturday, July 4, 2026, drawing massive crowds in a carefully orchestrated display of national mourning and state power. Khamenei, who led Iran for 37 years, was killed along with several family members in late February during the opening strikes of a war involving the United States and Israel.

The initial phase of the funeral saw Khamenei's body, along with the coffins of four family members, lie in state at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla mosque complex for public visitation. Iranian state media reported that more than 2.2 million people had attended by Saturday afternoon, with authorities estimating total attendance in Tehran could reach between 15 and 20 million over three days. The ceremonies feature processions through the capital before the remains are transported to other key locations.

The funeral schedule, which was postponed from March due to the ongoing conflict, is a multi-stage national event. After the Tehran ceremonies, Khamenei's coffin is scheduled to be moved to the clerical city of Qom on Tuesday, July 7. From there, it will travel to the Iraqi...