Ali Khamenei Funeral: Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday for the second day of funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking one of the largest public mobilisations in Iran in recent years. The ceremonies, held at the Grand Mosalla religious complex, come weeks after Khamenei and four members of his family were reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes on February 28, based on US intelligence, according to reports.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Massive Crowds in Tehran
The funeral events have quickly evolved into a major political and symbolic gathering, highlighting both national mourning and Iran’s message of resilience amid heightened regional tensions.
Ali Khamenei Funeral News: Rare Public Appearance by Khamenei’s Sons
Three of Ali Khamenei’s sons—Mostafa, Masoud, and Meysam, all clerics—attended Sunday’s funeral prayers, drawing significant attention from attendees and media. Their presence marked a rare public appearance for the family during the mourning period and ongoing security-sensitive atmosphere in Tehran. However, there was no sign of Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named Iran’s new Supreme Leader shortly after his father’s death but has yet to appear publicly.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Mojtaba Khamenei Still Missing from Public View
The continued absence of Mojtaba Khamenei remains a key focus of speculation as the funeral ceremonies progress. Iranian officials have stated that Mojtaba was injured in the Israeli strikes, though details about the severity of his condition remain unclear. Since the incident, he has only communicated through written statements. His absence is expected to remain a major point of attention as the funeral procession continues through the week.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Funeral Procession to Move Across Iran and Iraq
The multi-day funeral procession is scheduled to continue beyond Tehran. On Monday, ceremonies will proceed in the capital before moving to the holy city of Qom on Tuesday and Iraq on Wednesday. The final burial is planned for Thursday in Mashhad, Ali Khamenei’s hometown in northeastern Iran. The service at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla was led by senior cleric Grand Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, 97, before the body was transferred for the next stage of ceremonies.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Iran Projects Unity and Defiance Amid Conflict Tensions
Beyond mourning the former leader, the funeral has become a platform for demonstrating political unity and resilience following five weeks of conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described the gathering on social media platform X as a moment when the “proud and invincible nation of Islamic Iran unanimously” honoured its “martyr.”
Authorities have projected attendance numbers exceeding 10 million across the funeral events, with Sunday declared a public holiday to facilitate participation. Heavy security and medical arrangements were deployed due to crowd control concerns.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Senior Military Figures Reappear in Public
Several senior military figures re-emerged during the ceremonies after weeks of low visibility during the conflict period. Ahmad Vahidi, recently appointed commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, attended for a second consecutive day. Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, also made a rare public appearance. Speaking to Iranian state television, Qaani described Khamenei’s “blessed end” as fitting after a lifetime of “striving.”
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Public Calls for Revenge Echo at Funeral
The funeral gatherings also featured emotionally charged calls for retaliation, despite a ceasefire currently holding between Iran and the United States. Some mourners demanded accountability for Khamenei’s death. One attendee told AFP that “the killers must face punishment,” while another said the crowd gathered “to show the world” support for Iran’s leadership and to demand “revenge for the blood of our loved ones.” Both Tehran and Washington have indicated they remain prepared for potential renewed military escalation if the ceasefire collapses.
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Regional Allies Join Mourning in Tehran
The funeral ceremonies also drew participation from regional groups allied with Iran. Delegations from Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, according to Iranian state media. Representatives from Yemen’s Houthi movement and Palestinian Islamic Jihad also attended the events, underscoring Iran’s continued regional network of political and armed alliances.
