Iran held a mass funeral prayer in Tehran on Sunday to honor the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Mosque. Hundreds of thousands of mourners, carrying Iranian flags, gathered for the ceremony, which was led by Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani. Attendees included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior military and political officials, and religious figures.
Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, followed by Iranian retaliation. The funeral ceremonies began on Friday, with foreign leaders and official delegations paying tribute to the late supreme leader. Public farewell ceremonies will continue, leading to the main funeral procession in Tehran on Monday, followed by ceremonies in Qom on July 7 and Iraq on July 8.
At the funeral, three of Khamenei's sons prayed beside his coffin, along with other family members, while Mojtaba, his successor as Iran's supreme leader, did not appear publicly. The funeral events, including visits to Shi'ite religious sites in Iraq, are part of a week-long series of mass funeral processions for Khamenei, who was killed in the war with the US and Israel.
Mourners, dressed in black and waving Iranian flags, gathered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla to pay their respects. Amid chants of "Death to America," the crowd expressed solidarity and a commitment to avenge Khamenei's death. The war has paused for a ceasefire agreement with Washington, which Iranian authorities believe will bring economic benefits.
While public displays of solidarity with the leadership are evident, the depth of public loyalty across Iran remains uncertain. Despite previous protests and a violent crackdown before the war, dissent has been subdued during the conflict. The war resulted in significant casualties, including senior Iranian officials, infrastructure damage, and global energy price fluctuations.
The interim peace deal reached last month involves unfreezing Iranian assets abroad and waivers from financial sanctions, aiming to revive Iran's economy. Khamenei's death symbolizes martyrdom in Iran's theocratic system, rooted in Shi'ite tradition and ritual mourning. The funeral events will continue with processions in Tehran, Qom, Iraq, and Mashhad, mobilizing millions of people for ceremonies in honor of the late supreme leader.
