Iran Begins State Funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Global Delegations Gather in Tehran

TEHRAN: Iran has begun the first stage of state funeral ceremonies for the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, with foreign dignitaries, religious leaders, and thousands of mourners gathering at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla to pay their final respects.

The leader’s body, along with those of his companions, was transferred to the Grand Mosalla early Friday ahead of a two-day public farewell ceremony. Religious scholars and cultural representatives from Indonesia and Afghanistan were among the first international guests to attend, while representatives of Iran’s officially recognised religious minorities also participated in the tribute.

Iranian authorities describe Ayatollah Khamenei as having been martyred in what they say was a United States-Israeli strike during the opening phase of the recent 40-day conflict.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said delegations from nearly 100 countries are expected to participate in the funeral ceremonies, reflecting broad international engagement.

“We have high-level delegations from neighbouring countries. At least eight heads of state or government, including presidents and prime ministers, along with parliamentary speakers from 12 countries, will attend,” Baghaei said.

He added that many other countries would be represented by foreign ministers, cabinet ministers, special envoys, lawmakers, civil society representatives, and prominent public figures. According to Baghaei, several Eastern European parliamentary delegations are also expected, while countries that officially supported the recent military actions against Iran were not invited.

The public farewell follows a private ceremony held on Thursday evening, attended by the families of those killed in the recent conflict and relatives of staff members from the leader’s office.

President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iranians from all ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds to participate in the funeral ceremonies.

“As heroic Iran prepares to bid farewell to the sincere servant of Islam and the Revolution, I invite all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political orientation, to participate with enthusiasm and dignity, demonstrating national unity and loyalty to the ideals of the Islamic Republic,” he wrote in a message posted on X.

Iranian officials estimate that between 15 and 20 million people could take part in the multi-day funeral ceremonies.

The body will remain at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla through the weekend before a funeral procession through the capital on Monday. Additional ceremonies are scheduled in the holy city of Qom, followed by memorial events in Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf in Iraq. Burial is planned for July 9 in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi linked the funeral ceremonies with the anniversary of the 1988 downing of Iran Air Flight 655.

In a message posted on X, Gharibabadi said the remembrance of the victims of Flight 655 and the late leader symbolises what he described as the continuation of longstanding U.S. hostility toward Iran while also reflecting the resilience of the Iranian people.

Iran marks July 3 each year as the anniversary of the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by the USS Vincennes over the Persian Gulf in 1988, an incident that killed all 290 people on board, including 66 children. Iranian officials have repeatedly criticised the United States for not issuing a formal apology and for later awarding a medal to the commander of the warship.